Title: It only hurts when I breathe
Category: Zan/Maria with a tad of Max and Maria uber closeness and other couples.
Rating: ADULT (i think)
Author: willowbv
Disclaimer: Don’t own the characters of Roswell, they belong to Jason Katims and Co.
Summary: I know, I know, what am I doing starting another fic but I‘ve been wanting to write a Zan/Maria fic for a while now
…I don’t even know where to begin with this one. It’s a little different for me because of Maria’s relationship with Max. It’s kind of strange to say the least and fitting that in with Zan was…interesting and because when I thought up the whole plot, my reaction to it all was: hmmm.
So here’s as far as I can go with the summary: There are aliens. It’s AU. Maria is from Roswell New Mexico, sassy, head-strong, pushy and bright with a few emotional scares, Max is her safety and Zan is the type of guy she has promised herself never to get involved with.
Maria and Max have been friends for years. Maria moves to NYC for university and moves in with Max, Zan and Rath. Tempers flare, chemistry is in complete play and general alien adventures ensue.
****
Part 1
The citrus scent floated into her nostrils and exploded into vibrant memories of colours, smiles, laughter, anger and tears. Maria wanted to remember everything and the citrus scent her mother had created for herself using aromatherapy oils helped her reduce everything that made Amy Deluca into one thing, a simple scent.
“My baby is growing up,” she said tearfully.
Releasing herself from the tearful embrace, Maria wiped away her tears. With her vision no longer impaired, she found herself touched by the proud look in her mother‘s eyes.
“It’s about time I did Mom,” she smiled.
At twenty years old, it felt like it had taken her four decades to get to where she was. The confusion, the worry, the tears, the wounds, the pain, both her and her mother had been through enough, they both deserved happiness.
Now after being burned by the same man twice, her mother was happily married to Jason Dupree, the owner of the UFO center. Her mother was the owner of The Crashdown Café, they both had a business and personal interest in the alien hoppola that surrounded Roswell.
Maria had always known that her mother was interested in aliens but it wasn’t until she met Jason Dupree three years ago that she revealed the reason for her interest. Her mother had always told her that she was special and Maria had attributed that to her being a mother-like comment to make, but when Amy Deluca had sat her down and told her that she had been abducted by aliens when she had been pregnant with her, a different kind of special was brought into play.
Of course she didn’t remember anything about the incident except for a silver hand-print on her pregnant stomach and a loss of memory of ten hours of her life. Jason Dupree also believed that he was frequently abducted, that’s why he had bought the UFO center from Milton, to make contact with them.
Maria was undecided on their experiences, she couldn’t explain them but at the same time wouldn’t yield to the whole Roswell alien crash and Roswell and aliens in general. So she humoured them both, they weren’t doing any harm, they were bonded by love and abduction stories - Maria thought that they made a great couple.
Now with her mother living her life, she had to live hers.
For her and no one else.
And it’s about damn time.
“Be safe“. Her mother’s words drew her back to the present.
Maria couldn’t help but laugh, she was the last person that needed that warning.
“Mum-”
“I know you can take care of yourself honey and I know Max will take care of you. It’s just, it’s a mum thing.”
The two women nodded in understanding and embraced each other one last time before they were separated by the gate call.
She gave a slight nod towards her boarding gate. “That’s me,”
The wind was knocked out of her lungs when her mother pulled her into a powerful hug.
“Love you,” she whispered.
“Love you too.”
Maria took a step back and then another one and another one and another one, till she was walking towards her gate backwards, waving.
“Call me when you get there and every week after,” her mother called.
Maria chuckled. “Sure Mum!,” she shouted back.
With one final glance at her mother, the one constant thing in her life next to Max, Maria turned and took a step into her life, into a future which had promises to keep.
****
Amy Deluca watched the beautiful young woman her daughter had grown to become, disappear through the boarding gate.
As her mother, she was proud of her, she was scared for her and she wanted her to be happy. Even though Maria had spent time away from her, it wouldn’t be like it was now, she was going away to university, starting a new chapter of her life and she wouldn’t be there to make sure that she was safe.
Amy knew that Maria didn’t believe the story of her abduction but the truth lay in the silver handprint she had carried on her pregnant belly for a week and because of this, she had always known that her daughter was special.
It wasn’t until Maria came back from Paris that she noticed that a change had happened within her. She was different, an energy hummed around her that wasn’t there before.
It worried her and comforted her at the same time because she knew that whatever it was, it wasn’t bad. The thought of Max being with daughter also added to her comfort. She had only met him a few times but when Maria was with him, the atmosphere around them changed, they had a chemistry which drew attention to them without them meaning it to. There was something about Max Evans, that she trusted. Amy had no idea why but she knew if Maria exhibited anything “special”, Max would take care of her.
****
“Zan don’t forget to pick up Maria tomorrow okay?” called Max from the kitchen.
Without moving from his position on the sofa and with his eyes still focused on the t.v. screen, Zan rolled his eyes in annoyance.
For the millionth time since Max had pulled out the King card and declared that Maria, instead of any of the other people they knew, would be living with them, Zan wanted to blow something up.
His brother had spent the last week preparing for the infamous Maria Deluca’s arrival. He had pulled out all the stops for her: shipped over her suitcases and other baggage so that she could travel light and most painfully for him and Rath, Max had laid down the rules of house behaviour. There would be no more using powers for anything.
Zan planned to amend that rule to: there would be no more using powers in Maria’s presence because what she didn’t see, didn’t get them screwed.
“What time is your fuck buddy getting here again?” he teased.
As a tense silence ensued, a wry grin passed across Zan’s lips.
When it came to Maria, Max was very touchy and he fell for Zan’s teasing efforts every time.
“For the last time, do not call her that,” he replied stonily, “ If you wanna ask that question, look in the mirror,” he added.
“I’m just playin’ man. I know you had Maria have this intense connection,” he sighed as he waved his hand dismissively “and that she was a great many fucks and-”
“Can you not say that word in reference to me and Maria”.
Zan could tell that Max was reaching his limit, which when it came to Maria wasn’t very far. He had met the girl at music camp when they were sixteen and since then had taken every opportunity to visit her. He had gone even as far as following her to Paris and spending his summer there last year. That was when the two had done the deed. It was hard not to tell because Max had come back different, he had had the Kingly presence before but when he had come back, it too had come back, with an extra kick that no-one could pin-point. They had all tried to knock some sense into him to break off whatever he had with her, but to no avail.
“What time is she coming?” he asked changing the topic.
“Her plane’s supposed to land at 9am,” answered.
Zan rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth in irritation. Not only did he have to play normal human in his own house but he had to get up early in the morning to pick some blonde-I-live-under-a-rock fresher?!
“Zan.” Max’s tone reminded him that he was still waiting for his reply.
“It’s good as done man, it’s good as done,” he assured him.
****
Maria stared at her watch. It was 8:30, her plane had landed early and she was very restless. She couldn’t call Max to pick her up because he would be in lab and she didn’t know the address of where she was going to be living, so she couldn’t take a taxi. Stepping out of the airport doors, she decided to take in a few nearby sights. She walked across the large parking lot, she crossed the road to visit a promenade filled with restaurants and hotels.
****
It was as they waited for the traffic lights to turn green that Rath spotted her. He recognised her from the pictures Max had of her, she was a knockout.
Blonde hair, great body, great to look at every day, he decided.
“Hey Zan, looks like her flight came in early or something,” he pointed towards the figure walking towards them along with pavement, her eyes glittered with curiosity and interest as she surveyed the restaurants she passed by.
“Oh good, at least we don’t have to go into airport parking,” said Zan, his eyes following her every move. She was cute, definitely worth getting a piece of. “I’ll pull in and we’ll pick her up,” he added.
“Take a look at Mr Shifty behind her,” added Rath.
Zan obliged. His eyes grew wide as he realised that the man, dressed in a jeans and a black jacket had his eyes glued to Maria. He was following her.
“Shit,” he muttered.
She obviously didn’t realise that she was being followed because she turned into an alley, where he, predictably followed.
What the fuck is she going down there for? he wondered.
“He’s gonna mug her or worse,” commented Rath.
“Max would cancel us, if anything happens to her,” he added.
The lights turned green and Zan hurriedly parked the car, waved his hand over the meter and with Rath by his side, made his way towards the alley.
****
Maria didn’t realise that she was being followed until, drawn in by a flashing sign and curious to know what it was, she went further down the alley way separating two restaurants.
“Hey.”
Startled, she whirled around to find and man, she guessed to be in his late twenties advancing towards her.
“Hey,” she drew the words out slowly while eyeing him suspiciously.
“Never been here before have you?” he asked.
A few years ago, she would have run away, she would have whimpered and backed away like people were expected to do in situations like this but Maria stood her ground.
“No.”
She watched as he got closer to her, “but I’m guessing you know that?”.
His hand went into his pocket and back out again in a blink of an eye. Maria’s jaw dropped as she saw what his hand produced.
A gun.
She hadn’t been there for a day and already someone was pulling a gun on her? Was he mugging her? she wondered absently. He couldn’t be could he?
“Hand over your bag,” he demanded.
“You are kidding me right? You’re mugging me?!” she exclaimed.
She used the adrenaline from the fear she felt to burning anger.
“See the gun,“ he waved the gun in front of her to make his point. “Hand it over.”
Maria stared at the gun and then into his eyes and immediately knew her answer.
“No.”
“What?”.
****
Zan and Rath screeched to a halt a little distance in the alley way when they realised that they were greeted not by cries of a damsel in distress but outraged words by one very angry blonde.
“I’m not handing over my bag. How dare you try to mug me!. I mean the utter nerve of you. What, you saw me walking around, curious eyed and thought, hey I’ll mug her- I mean who the hell do you think you are?”
Zan and Rath looked at each other with surprised expressions before looking back at the scene playing out in front of them.
The mugger had his back towards them, Maria could be seen with crossed arms and blazing eyes. She was completely oblivious to them.
“Look lady I just want the bag.”
Zan closed his previously a jar mouth. The mugger was pleading with her to give him her bag?
Is this for real? he wondered.
“Well you’re not getting it,“ came her determined reply.
Yes it is.
“I’m going to walk out of here, alive and get picked up and get on with my life and you, you’re gonna go home.”
It was when the man shifted his position that Zan saw the gun. He lifted his hand to throw it into the wall but before he did, with one swift kick from Maria, the gun hit the wall and fell to the floor in pieces.
The action sprung him and Rath into action
“Hey!” they yelled running towards them.
The man turned around, saw them coming after him, pushed Maria aside and ran down the alley disappearing around the corner.
When they reached Maria, she didn’t faint from the shock, she just looked at them and flashed them a smile. “You must be Zan and Rath. I got here a little early, thought I’d look around.”
The causal way she acted infuriated him.
She could have been killed, then Max would have killed him and she was smiling?!
“And get yourself mugged. What the fuck were you doing?!” he yelled.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
She didn’t appear to be intimidated by him, she stood arms folded, expecting a reply to her question.
“When someone with a gun asks you to hand over your bag, you don’t play hero, you do it.”
“I’m sorry but no,” she retorted. “ First off, the gun,” she pointed to the pieces on the ground a few centimetres away from them, “was plastic and secondly, that guy wasn’t going to hurt me I could see it in his eyes.”
Zan could see Rath watching them with an amused smirk, usually that would be where he would where he would stop because that was the sign that he had been beaten. Zan was about to let some blonde loud-mouth with a hero complex have the last word.
“This isn’t the desert, this is a big city and if people want to live, they don’t do what you just did!”.
Cocking her head to the side as if to study him from a different angle, she sighed in exasperation. “Fine. lesson learned. Can we get going now?”.
Zan opened his mouth to say something, anything that would show her who was boss, but found himself speechless.
“Let’s go,” he said through gritted teeth.
Not one member of the trio noticed the two figures that looked on from the roof as they walked out of the alley.
****
It Only Hurts... (UC,Z/Ma,ADULT) Pt 8 - 02/10/05 [WIP]
Moderators: Anniepoo98, ISLANDGIRL5, truelovepooh, Forum Moderators
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willowbv
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- Contact:
It Only Hurts... (UC,Z/Ma,ADULT) Pt 8 - 02/10/05 [WIP]
Last edited by willowbv on Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:25 am, edited 8 times in total.
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
AN: aussietasha77, magikhands, Elf, Ninlil, Ella1022, LittleHottie510
:waves: hey guys. Thanks for the feedback. This next part is dedicated to you guys, enjoy…:D
****
Previously
Zan could see Rath watching them with an amused smirk, usually that would be where he would where he would stop because that was the sign that he had been beaten. Zan was about to let some blonde loud-mouth with a hero complex have the last word.
“This isn’t the desert, this is a big city and if people want to live, they don’t do what you just did!”.
Cocking her head to the side as if to study him from a different angle, she sighed in exasperation. “Fine. lesson learned. Can we get going now?”.
Zan opened his mouth to say something, anything that would show her who was boss, but found himself speechless.
“Let’s go,” he said through gritted teeth.
Not one member of the trio noticed the two figures that looked on from the roof as they walked out of the alley.
****
Part 2
****
As they made their way to the car, Maria made sure that she was walking behind her two new roommates. She didn’t want them to see the baffled expression on her face as she analysed the completely random event that had just taken place.
The last time something like that had happened was when she had been living in Paris. That event, had been terrifying, strange and once again, completely random. She had attributed it to being in a foreign county, but it had been a while since she had been on home ground and strange events still kept happening to her.
In Roswell, it had been odd encounters with strangers, or she would find things that seemed familiar but she couldn’t quite place and then there was this attempted mugging.
Her pensive frown deepened. Random was not appropriate to describe the bizarre encounters she had been having. Collectively, they seemed to all have a point - what that was exactly, was the million dollar question.
Why would a guy pick her to mug? With a fake gun at that?. Surely in New York, people carried the real thing.
But then it could be completely random, she told herself.
Yeah right.
Someone clicked their fingers in front of her startling her out of her thoughts.
“Yo ‘Ria, you in shock or something?” asked a concerned Rath.
Maria looked from one curious, concerned face to the other and guessed that they had been trying to get her attention for a while.
She didn’t want to answer the questions that they were obviously thinking. Whatever was happening didn’t make sense to her, there was no reason to freak out people she hardly knew with tales of her odd life.
“No, I’m fine,” her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings until she found a quick way to change the conversation. “I just kind of zoned out,” she nodded towards the stylish black SUV they stood in front of. “This is our ride?”.
“Yeah,” replied Zan.
She could feel his eyes on her. If she continued avoiding his gaze then he’d think that she was hiding something, which she was, but her life was none of his business.
She shifted her gaze towards him and stared at him hard. Their gazes locked, eyes held in a challenging stale mate.
From the corner of her eye, Maria saw Rath walk around to the other side and get into the front passenger seat leaving her alone with Zan.
This is ridiculous, I’m standing here stuck in a stupid staring match with this guy? I’ve made my point, time to move on.
She rolled her eyes breaking the match and she supposed in Zan‘s eyes declaring him the winner.
Whatever.
She turned her attention back to the car, running her fingers along the top of her passenger seat door, she nodded impressed. “Nice.”
She was surprised when Zan closed the space between them and swiftly circling around her, came up close behind her. His actions were quick and left Maria in momentarily confusion. He bent his head down, his warm breath tickling her ears.
“Glad you approve,” he said in a low voice.
Her perceptive eyes followed him as he got into the drivers seat.
I’ve got your number dude, she smirked as she fastened her seat belt.
Max had told her all about his twin brother Zan, about Rath and all his friends and family in New York complete with pictures and everything.
Zan was majoring in geology, he was your usual player, told a girl anything to get her into bed and Rath, the art major, was more or less the same. Granted they had their good points because Max still had them in his life, after his character summary, she had supplied him with one of her own: that both were stubborn and arrogant Zan more so than Rath.
Max had agreed. She had taken a victory bow.
Maria knew guys like Zan and Rath, she’d dated guys like them - that was why she knew that she could handle living with them - because she knew that she would never date them. Romantic relationships were off the list of her things-to-do for an indefinite period of time.
The only person who had a shot at that kind of position in her life was Max. He was the complete opposite of Zan. He had no nose ring, or piercing of any kind, the same went for tattoos, he was less swearing inclined, was gentle and sweet. He and Zan had the similar regal air and confidence, but with Zan, it was a loud confidence. Max’s amber eyes made her feel calm and at peace but with Zan, there was something about his piercing arrogant amber eyes that irritated her. Even though Zan had the oh-my-gosh-I-want-to-jump-him looks that his brother had, in no way she could fathom would she ever be attracted to him the way she had been to Max.
She loved Max, he was her best friend, her best boyfriend. He had saved her in so many ways that she couldn’t help but feel wilfully indebted to him forever.
Rath didn’t seem to be a problem. She knew his profile and had a feeling that they would get along well.
Stop the character run down and take a moment here Ria, she told herself, you’re in New York!. In a week you’ll be starting university!
Quietly screaming with excitement, Maria relaxed further into her seat and with a contented smile on her face, she looked out of the window eagerly devouring her new world with her eyes.
****
What the hell is she grinning about?! fumed Zan.
The fact that traffic was dragging was not helping his mood. Her sparkling green eyes and kissable lips which were still framed in a smile - were definitely not helping him feel more at peace with himself.
The girl was gorgeous when she angry, her eyes flashed, she had a feisty spirit that practically glowed. He knew that she would be good in bed, Max had more or less said so.
She pisses me off but I want to fuck her - where is the logic?
“Yo Bro, we’re on the move.”
Rath’s voice drew his eyes away from the rear view mirror and the blonde in the back seat and back to the road. Zan didn’t bother looking at his friend because he knew that he would be met with either, a quizzically raised eyebrow, a teasing smirk or both and he was not in the mood for either.
****
To his surprise, Zan was making no effort to make the girl feel welcome. Not that making her feel welcome was the main goal, getting her into bed was, because she was a very hot girl. Although from the action he’d seen in the alley, Rath had a feeling that they had no chance with her.
But a guy has to take a shot.
He turned to face her.
“So how was your flight?” he asked.
She had her head rested against the window and was, he guessed, taking in her surroundings.
“Rath, are you comfortable?” she asked without moving.
“What?”.
Her eyes met his. “Are you okay?” she asked slowly.
“Yeah, why?” he asked puzzled.
“Well, If I’m comfortable and you’re comfortable, then let’s not make it awkward by trying to fill space with pointless conversation, deal?”.
Rath grinned at her. He grinned even wider when she flashed him a sardonic smirk.
They definitely had no chance with her, but she would be great to flirt and joke with.
“Deal,” he agreed.
He hadn’t been overjoyed about having her live with them but after seeing what a knockout she was, how slightly crazy she was, how she called up Zan on their first meeting and then her comment to him - he knew that they’d get along brilliantly.
“Now I am actually interested, how was your flight?” he asked.
She lifted her head from the window, shifted her position and gave him her full attention.
“The food was okay, slept most of the way,” she shrugged.
“Rad.”
“Digging the mowhawk by the way,” she grinned.
“Digging all of you by the way,” he retorted.
Her soft amused chuckle filtered throughout the car.
“You can dig all you like but you’re not gonna hit the jackpot.”
Rath pretended to flinch. “Ouch.”
“Just laying down the ground rules,” she shrugged.
“For now,” he contested.
“Forever,” she reaffirmed.
“That’s cold,” he grinned enjoying their banter.
“That’s the way it is,” she grinned.
“It’s like that huh?”.
“Yep.”
Rath was about bring on a different topic when Zan interrupted their game.
“Can we talk about something else?”.
His annoyed and irritated tone dampened the jovial mood the pair had managed to create.
“Yo chill,” said Rath surprised by his outburst.
“Sorry man,“ he sighed rubbing his forehead, “traffic, late night, my bad.”
Rath shrugged in acceptance of his apology. He was about to turn up the music on the radio when his cell rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and shook his head in amusement.
“Hey Max, don’t worry about it, we picked up your girl and we’re on our way home,” he told him.
“Thanks Rath. Is Zan fitted in?” he asked.
Rath glanced over to make sure Zan was suited up for cordless communication.
“Yep.”
“I’ll ring him next. Are you getting along?” asked Max.
Rath glanced back at Maria and was taken aback to find her staring back at him. She had obviously been interested in his conversation with Max. Rath didn‘t look away, instead, he cast an approving look at her before replying to Max. “Oh yeah,” he nodded, “ ten Max, definitely a ten.”
He chuckled as crimson flooded her cheeks and she rolled her eyes.
“Glad you approve,“ said Max. “Later.”
“Later.”
After ending the call, Rath turned to Zan. “He’ll blow you up in a sec.”
****
A few seconds later, Zan’s phone rang.
“Hi.”
“Hi. Thanks for picking her up,” said Max.
“No prob bro.”
There was a second of silence, time long enough for Max to decode his tone.
“What?”, he asked.
Zan glanced at the blonde in his rear view mirror before replying.
“Your girl’s crazy, you know that right?”
“What?!” he heard her erupt from the back. “Are you talking about me?”
“I’m on the phone!”.
His retort momentarily silenced her.
“What happened?” asked Max patiently.
“She got held up and gave the mugger attitude,” replied Zan.
“Is she okay?” asked Max immediately.
Zan sighed impatiently. “Yeah, she kicked the gun out of his hand and it was plastic and he ran off.”
“She um.” he could almost see the amused smile on his brother’s face, “ does things like that.”
Narrow slits of green glared at him from the rear view mirror. Zan took a moment to glare back before responding to Max.
“You think that’s normal?!” he asked outraged.
The girl was crazy and he sounded almost proud?
What kind of fucked up relationship do they have?! he wondered.
“That’s Maria,” replied Max.
“Whatever.”
He heard Max sigh tiredly. It was the same sigh that he used when he needed to deal with arguments between him and Isabel.
“I’ll talk to her,“ he said .“See you when I get home.”
“Later.”
:waves: hey guys. Thanks for the feedback. This next part is dedicated to you guys, enjoy…:D
****
Previously
Zan could see Rath watching them with an amused smirk, usually that would be where he would where he would stop because that was the sign that he had been beaten. Zan was about to let some blonde loud-mouth with a hero complex have the last word.
“This isn’t the desert, this is a big city and if people want to live, they don’t do what you just did!”.
Cocking her head to the side as if to study him from a different angle, she sighed in exasperation. “Fine. lesson learned. Can we get going now?”.
Zan opened his mouth to say something, anything that would show her who was boss, but found himself speechless.
“Let’s go,” he said through gritted teeth.
Not one member of the trio noticed the two figures that looked on from the roof as they walked out of the alley.
****
Part 2
****
As they made their way to the car, Maria made sure that she was walking behind her two new roommates. She didn’t want them to see the baffled expression on her face as she analysed the completely random event that had just taken place.
The last time something like that had happened was when she had been living in Paris. That event, had been terrifying, strange and once again, completely random. She had attributed it to being in a foreign county, but it had been a while since she had been on home ground and strange events still kept happening to her.
In Roswell, it had been odd encounters with strangers, or she would find things that seemed familiar but she couldn’t quite place and then there was this attempted mugging.
Her pensive frown deepened. Random was not appropriate to describe the bizarre encounters she had been having. Collectively, they seemed to all have a point - what that was exactly, was the million dollar question.
Why would a guy pick her to mug? With a fake gun at that?. Surely in New York, people carried the real thing.
But then it could be completely random, she told herself.
Yeah right.
Someone clicked their fingers in front of her startling her out of her thoughts.
“Yo ‘Ria, you in shock or something?” asked a concerned Rath.
Maria looked from one curious, concerned face to the other and guessed that they had been trying to get her attention for a while.
She didn’t want to answer the questions that they were obviously thinking. Whatever was happening didn’t make sense to her, there was no reason to freak out people she hardly knew with tales of her odd life.
“No, I’m fine,” her eyes quickly scanned her surroundings until she found a quick way to change the conversation. “I just kind of zoned out,” she nodded towards the stylish black SUV they stood in front of. “This is our ride?”.
“Yeah,” replied Zan.
She could feel his eyes on her. If she continued avoiding his gaze then he’d think that she was hiding something, which she was, but her life was none of his business.
She shifted her gaze towards him and stared at him hard. Their gazes locked, eyes held in a challenging stale mate.
From the corner of her eye, Maria saw Rath walk around to the other side and get into the front passenger seat leaving her alone with Zan.
This is ridiculous, I’m standing here stuck in a stupid staring match with this guy? I’ve made my point, time to move on.
She rolled her eyes breaking the match and she supposed in Zan‘s eyes declaring him the winner.
Whatever.
She turned her attention back to the car, running her fingers along the top of her passenger seat door, she nodded impressed. “Nice.”
She was surprised when Zan closed the space between them and swiftly circling around her, came up close behind her. His actions were quick and left Maria in momentarily confusion. He bent his head down, his warm breath tickling her ears.
“Glad you approve,” he said in a low voice.
Her perceptive eyes followed him as he got into the drivers seat.
I’ve got your number dude, she smirked as she fastened her seat belt.
Max had told her all about his twin brother Zan, about Rath and all his friends and family in New York complete with pictures and everything.
Zan was majoring in geology, he was your usual player, told a girl anything to get her into bed and Rath, the art major, was more or less the same. Granted they had their good points because Max still had them in his life, after his character summary, she had supplied him with one of her own: that both were stubborn and arrogant Zan more so than Rath.
Max had agreed. She had taken a victory bow.
Maria knew guys like Zan and Rath, she’d dated guys like them - that was why she knew that she could handle living with them - because she knew that she would never date them. Romantic relationships were off the list of her things-to-do for an indefinite period of time.
The only person who had a shot at that kind of position in her life was Max. He was the complete opposite of Zan. He had no nose ring, or piercing of any kind, the same went for tattoos, he was less swearing inclined, was gentle and sweet. He and Zan had the similar regal air and confidence, but with Zan, it was a loud confidence. Max’s amber eyes made her feel calm and at peace but with Zan, there was something about his piercing arrogant amber eyes that irritated her. Even though Zan had the oh-my-gosh-I-want-to-jump-him looks that his brother had, in no way she could fathom would she ever be attracted to him the way she had been to Max.
She loved Max, he was her best friend, her best boyfriend. He had saved her in so many ways that she couldn’t help but feel wilfully indebted to him forever.
Rath didn’t seem to be a problem. She knew his profile and had a feeling that they would get along well.
Stop the character run down and take a moment here Ria, she told herself, you’re in New York!. In a week you’ll be starting university!
Quietly screaming with excitement, Maria relaxed further into her seat and with a contented smile on her face, she looked out of the window eagerly devouring her new world with her eyes.
****
What the hell is she grinning about?! fumed Zan.
The fact that traffic was dragging was not helping his mood. Her sparkling green eyes and kissable lips which were still framed in a smile - were definitely not helping him feel more at peace with himself.
The girl was gorgeous when she angry, her eyes flashed, she had a feisty spirit that practically glowed. He knew that she would be good in bed, Max had more or less said so.
She pisses me off but I want to fuck her - where is the logic?
“Yo Bro, we’re on the move.”
Rath’s voice drew his eyes away from the rear view mirror and the blonde in the back seat and back to the road. Zan didn’t bother looking at his friend because he knew that he would be met with either, a quizzically raised eyebrow, a teasing smirk or both and he was not in the mood for either.
****
To his surprise, Zan was making no effort to make the girl feel welcome. Not that making her feel welcome was the main goal, getting her into bed was, because she was a very hot girl. Although from the action he’d seen in the alley, Rath had a feeling that they had no chance with her.
But a guy has to take a shot.
He turned to face her.
“So how was your flight?” he asked.
She had her head rested against the window and was, he guessed, taking in her surroundings.
“Rath, are you comfortable?” she asked without moving.
“What?”.
Her eyes met his. “Are you okay?” she asked slowly.
“Yeah, why?” he asked puzzled.
“Well, If I’m comfortable and you’re comfortable, then let’s not make it awkward by trying to fill space with pointless conversation, deal?”.
Rath grinned at her. He grinned even wider when she flashed him a sardonic smirk.
They definitely had no chance with her, but she would be great to flirt and joke with.
“Deal,” he agreed.
He hadn’t been overjoyed about having her live with them but after seeing what a knockout she was, how slightly crazy she was, how she called up Zan on their first meeting and then her comment to him - he knew that they’d get along brilliantly.
“Now I am actually interested, how was your flight?” he asked.
She lifted her head from the window, shifted her position and gave him her full attention.
“The food was okay, slept most of the way,” she shrugged.
“Rad.”
“Digging the mowhawk by the way,” she grinned.
“Digging all of you by the way,” he retorted.
Her soft amused chuckle filtered throughout the car.
“You can dig all you like but you’re not gonna hit the jackpot.”
Rath pretended to flinch. “Ouch.”
“Just laying down the ground rules,” she shrugged.
“For now,” he contested.
“Forever,” she reaffirmed.
“That’s cold,” he grinned enjoying their banter.
“That’s the way it is,” she grinned.
“It’s like that huh?”.
“Yep.”
Rath was about bring on a different topic when Zan interrupted their game.
“Can we talk about something else?”.
His annoyed and irritated tone dampened the jovial mood the pair had managed to create.
“Yo chill,” said Rath surprised by his outburst.
“Sorry man,“ he sighed rubbing his forehead, “traffic, late night, my bad.”
Rath shrugged in acceptance of his apology. He was about to turn up the music on the radio when his cell rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and shook his head in amusement.
“Hey Max, don’t worry about it, we picked up your girl and we’re on our way home,” he told him.
“Thanks Rath. Is Zan fitted in?” he asked.
Rath glanced over to make sure Zan was suited up for cordless communication.
“Yep.”
“I’ll ring him next. Are you getting along?” asked Max.
Rath glanced back at Maria and was taken aback to find her staring back at him. She had obviously been interested in his conversation with Max. Rath didn‘t look away, instead, he cast an approving look at her before replying to Max. “Oh yeah,” he nodded, “ ten Max, definitely a ten.”
He chuckled as crimson flooded her cheeks and she rolled her eyes.
“Glad you approve,“ said Max. “Later.”
“Later.”
After ending the call, Rath turned to Zan. “He’ll blow you up in a sec.”
****
A few seconds later, Zan’s phone rang.
“Hi.”
“Hi. Thanks for picking her up,” said Max.
“No prob bro.”
There was a second of silence, time long enough for Max to decode his tone.
“What?”, he asked.
Zan glanced at the blonde in his rear view mirror before replying.
“Your girl’s crazy, you know that right?”
“What?!” he heard her erupt from the back. “Are you talking about me?”
“I’m on the phone!”.
His retort momentarily silenced her.
“What happened?” asked Max patiently.
“She got held up and gave the mugger attitude,” replied Zan.
“Is she okay?” asked Max immediately.
Zan sighed impatiently. “Yeah, she kicked the gun out of his hand and it was plastic and he ran off.”
“She um.” he could almost see the amused smile on his brother’s face, “ does things like that.”
Narrow slits of green glared at him from the rear view mirror. Zan took a moment to glare back before responding to Max.
“You think that’s normal?!” he asked outraged.
The girl was crazy and he sounded almost proud?
What kind of fucked up relationship do they have?! he wondered.
“That’s Maria,” replied Max.
“Whatever.”
He heard Max sigh tiredly. It was the same sigh that he used when he needed to deal with arguments between him and Isabel.
“I’ll talk to her,“ he said .“See you when I get home.”
“Later.”
Last edited by willowbv on Sun May 02, 2004 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
****
Maria fumed in the back.
Was it possible to want to kill someone you just met?
“You’re an ass you know that?” she told him.
“Ditto,” he replied.
Maria rolled her eyes and shook her head in frustration.
Living with him would be…interesting to say the least.
Her phone rang, she glanced at the caller id and her feelings of anger evaporated and were replaced by a delighted smile as she picked it up.
“Hey hun,” she sang.
“Hey doll face, how you doing?” asked Max.
Just hearing his voice made her feel calmer.
“Fine considering.” She shot a pointed glare in Zan’s direction. She knew that he was watching, so her point had been made.
“The mugging?” he asked.
“No your brother,” she dead-panned.
Max laughed. “I knew you two would get along.”
“Funny.”
A moment of silence passed initiating a change in the tone of the conversation.
“What you did was dangerous” he began.
Maria dropped her head on the head rest and closed her eyes in preparation for the lecture that was sure to come.
“I know,” she agreed, “ but he wasn’t going to hurt me and you know I’ve dealt with worse”.
“Doesn’t mean you should risk your life unnecessarily,” he countered.
“It was instinct,” she argued.
“Control it,” he retorted.
She drew a heavy sigh over the tense silence that had descended on them.
“I don’t want to argue Max okay?” she pleaded.
He sighed, signalling his acceptance of her request. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll see you when I get home?“.
She smiled at his words.
“What?” he asked as if he could see her smiling.
“Nothing it’s just, amazing that I’m going to be living with you all of people.”
“I’ll try not to be a burden,” he joked.
“That would be helpful,” she laughed.
“I gotta go back to work, love you,” he said.
“Love you too,” she sang smiling into the phone.
Her smile faded when she met two piercing eyes in the rear view mirror.
Why she kept looking there, she had no idea, but she did and there he was again staring or glaring at her. Whichever it was, she didn’t care.
“Problem?” she challenged.
He didn’t reply just looked away.
Rath poked his out in between the two seats and winked at her, Maria rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the tug on her lips.
****
The two men entered the sparsely decorated apartment and made their way to the conference table in the centre of the room.
They both bowed their heads in respect at the three other men who sat around the table, before taking their seats and joining them.
“What news do you bring?” asked a blonde haired man in his late twenties.
“As you all know, we have been tracking the subject since the signal for the awakening was transmitted. We have tested the subject in various ways and have concluded that she is indeed the Guardian.”
“We know all this, give us something new!” interrupted a long-haired trucker.
“Avrez, calm down,” ordered the grey haired older man, “I know you are anxious, we all are, but let them speak.”
He nodded to the man with the bright blue eyes, “Rainos continue.”
Rainos nodded in compliance. “The subject, the Guardian, Maria Deluca is here in New York City. She’s going to be living with the two Kings and the second in command, Rath. We tested her again at the airport this morning. She’s determined, wilful and very capable. She is a pleasing specimen.”
Rainos wasn’t sure whether to add the last part or not but it was his opinion that Maria Deluca was a pleasing specimen. She was beautiful, stubborn, loyal and considering that the whole Guardian program had not been fully planned, the result was amazing.
“Should we bring her and them all in?” asked Taintan.
Rainos held his breath and clenched his jaw to prevent himself from speaking.
Maria wasn’t ready. She didn’t even know what she was. She wasn’t ready for the ugliness of war or even more important than that, she didn’t know that aliens were real.
“She’s protected and by being with her, they’re protected,” argued Guitsu, “It’s too soon for them to be brought back. We all know our forces aren’t ready. The time isn’t right.”
“Agreed?” asked Avrez.
“Agreed,” chorused the trio.
Rainos slowly exhaled.
She was okay, she was safe for now.
“Keep an eye on her,“ ordered Guitsu, “make sure nothing happens to her. I don‘t need to remind you how important she is for the future of Antar and the Royals.“
The other’s nodded in agreement.
“You may go,” ordered Jesten.
Rainos and his partner Jazhau bowed their heads, rose and left the apartment and the building. They hailed a cab and went back to their lives on earth.
The meeting was over. There was work to be done.
****
Maria fumed in the back.
Was it possible to want to kill someone you just met?
“You’re an ass you know that?” she told him.
“Ditto,” he replied.
Maria rolled her eyes and shook her head in frustration.
Living with him would be…interesting to say the least.
Her phone rang, she glanced at the caller id and her feelings of anger evaporated and were replaced by a delighted smile as she picked it up.
“Hey hun,” she sang.
“Hey doll face, how you doing?” asked Max.
Just hearing his voice made her feel calmer.
“Fine considering.” She shot a pointed glare in Zan’s direction. She knew that he was watching, so her point had been made.
“The mugging?” he asked.
“No your brother,” she dead-panned.
Max laughed. “I knew you two would get along.”
“Funny.”
A moment of silence passed initiating a change in the tone of the conversation.
“What you did was dangerous” he began.
Maria dropped her head on the head rest and closed her eyes in preparation for the lecture that was sure to come.
“I know,” she agreed, “ but he wasn’t going to hurt me and you know I’ve dealt with worse”.
“Doesn’t mean you should risk your life unnecessarily,” he countered.
“It was instinct,” she argued.
“Control it,” he retorted.
She drew a heavy sigh over the tense silence that had descended on them.
“I don’t want to argue Max okay?” she pleaded.
He sighed, signalling his acceptance of her request. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’ll see you when I get home?“.
She smiled at his words.
“What?” he asked as if he could see her smiling.
“Nothing it’s just, amazing that I’m going to be living with you all of people.”
“I’ll try not to be a burden,” he joked.
“That would be helpful,” she laughed.
“I gotta go back to work, love you,” he said.
“Love you too,” she sang smiling into the phone.
Her smile faded when she met two piercing eyes in the rear view mirror.
Why she kept looking there, she had no idea, but she did and there he was again staring or glaring at her. Whichever it was, she didn’t care.
“Problem?” she challenged.
He didn’t reply just looked away.
Rath poked his out in between the two seats and winked at her, Maria rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the tug on her lips.
****
The two men entered the sparsely decorated apartment and made their way to the conference table in the centre of the room.
They both bowed their heads in respect at the three other men who sat around the table, before taking their seats and joining them.
“What news do you bring?” asked a blonde haired man in his late twenties.
“As you all know, we have been tracking the subject since the signal for the awakening was transmitted. We have tested the subject in various ways and have concluded that she is indeed the Guardian.”
“We know all this, give us something new!” interrupted a long-haired trucker.
“Avrez, calm down,” ordered the grey haired older man, “I know you are anxious, we all are, but let them speak.”
He nodded to the man with the bright blue eyes, “Rainos continue.”
Rainos nodded in compliance. “The subject, the Guardian, Maria Deluca is here in New York City. She’s going to be living with the two Kings and the second in command, Rath. We tested her again at the airport this morning. She’s determined, wilful and very capable. She is a pleasing specimen.”
Rainos wasn’t sure whether to add the last part or not but it was his opinion that Maria Deluca was a pleasing specimen. She was beautiful, stubborn, loyal and considering that the whole Guardian program had not been fully planned, the result was amazing.
“Should we bring her and them all in?” asked Taintan.
Rainos held his breath and clenched his jaw to prevent himself from speaking.
Maria wasn’t ready. She didn’t even know what she was. She wasn’t ready for the ugliness of war or even more important than that, she didn’t know that aliens were real.
“She’s protected and by being with her, they’re protected,” argued Guitsu, “It’s too soon for them to be brought back. We all know our forces aren’t ready. The time isn’t right.”
“Agreed?” asked Avrez.
“Agreed,” chorused the trio.
Rainos slowly exhaled.
She was okay, she was safe for now.
“Keep an eye on her,“ ordered Guitsu, “make sure nothing happens to her. I don‘t need to remind you how important she is for the future of Antar and the Royals.“
The other’s nodded in agreement.
“You may go,” ordered Jesten.
Rainos and his partner Jazhau bowed their heads, rose and left the apartment and the building. They hailed a cab and went back to their lives on earth.
The meeting was over. There was work to be done.
****
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
AN: Hey guys, went out tonight and what can I say, a fun time out with the girls and good music makes a girl wanna update this fic. 
Oh and by the way, because this is a Zan/Maria fic, I'm a dreamer, so we gotta have some max and liz, which will be a little difficult seeing as there's a bit of a Max and Maria issue. Anywho, enjoy:
****
Previously
“Should we bring her and them all in?” asked Taintan.
Rainos held his breath and clenched his jaw to prevent himself from speaking.
Maria wasn’t ready. She didn’t even know what she was. She wasn’t ready for the ugliness of war or even more important than that, she didn’t know that aliens were real.
“She’s protected and by being with her, they’re protected,” argued Guitsu, “It’s too soon for them to be brought back. We all know our forces aren’t ready. The time isn’t right.”
“Agreed?” asked Avrez.
“Agreed,” chorused the trio.
Rainos slowly exhaled.
She was okay, she was safe for now.
“Keep an eye on her,“ ordered Guitsu, “make sure nothing happens to her. I don‘t need to remind you how important she is for the future of Antar and the Royals.“
The other’s nodded in agreement.
“You may go,” ordered Jesten.
Rainos and his partner Jazhau bowed their heads, rose and left the apartment and the building. They hailed a cab and went back to their lives on earth.
The meeting was over. There was work to be done.
****
Part 3
****
A smile swept across Max’s mouth as he took a moment to enjoy his surroundings.
Autumn was coming, he could feel it in the air.
Students who like him, had to start the new semester a few weeks early were making their way home or sitting or standing on the benches talking to friends. Beyond the confines of the university, he knew what would be waiting for him: loud streets, a variety of people and places and most all…traffic. It made him once again appreciate the fact that he lived within walking distance.
The thought of walking into his home to be greeted by a pair of laughing emerald eyes also contributed to his jovial mood. It was with thoughts of her smile, her laughter and her eyes that Max began his walk home.
“Hi Max!”.
It took him a moment to recognise the person who was standing a few feet ahead of him.
“Liz?!”.
He had met Liz and the rest of his human friends in high school and they had been best friends ever since. Their friendship had survived her finding out that he, Zan, Rath, Isabel, Ava, Tess, Michael and Vilondra were aliens. Their friendship had survived a lot of things and because of that, Liz Parker was one of the most important people in his life.
A pair of jeans, red top and a blazer dressed her petite frame, which he had appreciated on more than one occasion. Her tanned skin combined with her chocolate brown eyes, to him, made her glow.
She was breathtaking.
She, as he did her, left him breathless as they came out of their powerful bear hug.
Her eyes danced as he opened and closed him mouth.
“Surprised to see me?” she asked.
“Well yeah, I thought you weren’t going to be back till Thursday,” he replied.
“I was but I decided to come back early to get back into things. I came back yesterday and relaxed. Isabel told me you were here so I thought I’d come say hi,” she explained.
Max nodded in acceptance of her explanation while his eyes travelled the length of her body.
“You look really great. Barbados must have agreed with you.”
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ears, an adorable action which he never tired of seeing, she nodded. “Yeah, I had a great time.”
Max, in an action that was natural to him, wrapped his arm around her and together they began to walk.
“Roman Holiday is playing at the Revival House tonight, can I count you in?” she asked.
“I‘d love to, but I can‘t,“ he replied. “Maria flew in today.”
Liz came to a sudden halt and looked up at him in surprise. “She did?”
He nodded his head with a wide grin on his face which only served to crush her hopeful heart.
“Wow”, she breathed taking a deep slow breath.
First Tess and now Maria, when will my time come?
“I know that on the phone you said that she was coming,“ she continued, “but I didn’t know that she was coming a week before.”
Finally composing her emotions, Liz looked up into the eyes of the love of her life.
Max Evans was the love of her life and he didn’t even know it. Or rather he had known it till he went to music camp.
“That’s great!”, she enthused, “she’s finally here.”
“It’s amazing.“ She watched jealously as his eyes lit up and as half smile progressed into a full blown excited smile.
“I know I saw her a few weeks ago in Roswell,” he continued, “ but it feels like I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Liz smiled wistfully. She realised that she couldn’t look at his sparkling eyes anymore knowing that she wasn’t the one who had put them there, so separated by the invisible presence of Maria Deluca, walking side by side, she resumed their walk.
“I’m really happy for you, Max,” she told him while silently wishing that she could feel completely happy for him. “I know how much she means to you.”
From the corner of her eye she saw him nod in thanks.
“I can’t wait for you guys to meet her. She’s already met Rath and Zan ‘cause they had to pick her up but, I’d really like her to meet you. I think you two would really hit it off.”
“Why don’t you bring her tonight?” she suggested.
Max immediately frowned at the idea. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Maria to meet his friends - he wanted her to meet them and to love them as much as he did and vice versa - but he wanted her first night in New York to be about the two of them instead of everyone else.
“She just flew in today and Rath said that she was sleeping when I called to check up on her again, so she’ll probably be too tired to hang out with everyone.”
It wasn’t a lie, he reasoned, because she would be tired and meeting his whole group of friends would only tire her out more.
“Oh, okay.”
Liz’s crestfallen tone made him feel a little guilty but not enough to share Maria on her first night in New York.
“But you’ll get to meet her tomorrow for dinner,“ he added in consolation. “You are coming right?”
“The opportunity to eat you and Zan’s fine cuisine and meet the infamous Maria Deluca? How can I pass that up?”.
“Good,” he smiled.
They came to a stop at the end of the street. Liz had to go right to catch the subway home, Max had to go left.
“Well I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said.
“Tomorrow,” he nodded before turning to continue his journey home.
****
Liz watched Max walk further and further away from her. She waited until she couldn’t see him and then continued with the rest of her journey home in a state of disappointment.
She had been in love with Max since they met in high school. She thought he saw their relationship as strictly platonic until, at the age of 16, they had somehow ended up at a party that was doomed to get out of hand, which it did, she got shot and Max healed her.
The life changing thing for her had been the fact that, he not only healed her, but she saw into his soul and vice versa. As she had lay bleeding on the ground under the starlit night, as Max Evans risked his life to heal her, she had seen herself through his eyes and to him she was beautiful.
After that, things became awkward between them as a sudden connection linked them together. Liz could feel him always and whenever he was near she felt his presence with an intensity that sometimes left her breathless but when he had left for music camp and came back, their connection had waned.
All because of Maria.
Maria was different from Tess.
First of all biologically she was human, Tess was a hybrid.
Secondly Tess had been Max’s alien bride who was supposed to continue her role with him on earth - they had tried that and to her relief had decided that they weren’t meant to be. Maria was the girl Max had chosen of his free will, the girl he had chosen to freely give his virginity to. A truth which when Liz had found out, made her feel like she wanted to throw up, like her heart had been suddenly viciously torn out of her chest. She had experienced a tidal wave of these feelings all at the same time and only in the safety of her room, had she had let her tears fall.
Maria was the girl that when mentioned made Max’s eyes light up in a way that constantly amazed her.
Maria was the reason that her and Max’s connection had waned. Maria was the girl Max was connected to in a different, deeper way then the connection they had shared together.
Max had dated her for a few days of music camp, but apparently they had decided to be “friends”, which was why last year, at the age of 19, he had lost his virginity to her, which was why this year he had placed a Kingly demand that she move in with him - Liz doubted that they were just friends.
Liz wanted to hate her, but she had a feeling that because Max loved her, she would too and that was the worst part of it all.
****
Oh and by the way, because this is a Zan/Maria fic, I'm a dreamer, so we gotta have some max and liz, which will be a little difficult seeing as there's a bit of a Max and Maria issue. Anywho, enjoy:
****
Previously
“Should we bring her and them all in?” asked Taintan.
Rainos held his breath and clenched his jaw to prevent himself from speaking.
Maria wasn’t ready. She didn’t even know what she was. She wasn’t ready for the ugliness of war or even more important than that, she didn’t know that aliens were real.
“She’s protected and by being with her, they’re protected,” argued Guitsu, “It’s too soon for them to be brought back. We all know our forces aren’t ready. The time isn’t right.”
“Agreed?” asked Avrez.
“Agreed,” chorused the trio.
Rainos slowly exhaled.
She was okay, she was safe for now.
“Keep an eye on her,“ ordered Guitsu, “make sure nothing happens to her. I don‘t need to remind you how important she is for the future of Antar and the Royals.“
The other’s nodded in agreement.
“You may go,” ordered Jesten.
Rainos and his partner Jazhau bowed their heads, rose and left the apartment and the building. They hailed a cab and went back to their lives on earth.
The meeting was over. There was work to be done.
****
Part 3
****
A smile swept across Max’s mouth as he took a moment to enjoy his surroundings.
Autumn was coming, he could feel it in the air.
Students who like him, had to start the new semester a few weeks early were making their way home or sitting or standing on the benches talking to friends. Beyond the confines of the university, he knew what would be waiting for him: loud streets, a variety of people and places and most all…traffic. It made him once again appreciate the fact that he lived within walking distance.
The thought of walking into his home to be greeted by a pair of laughing emerald eyes also contributed to his jovial mood. It was with thoughts of her smile, her laughter and her eyes that Max began his walk home.
“Hi Max!”.
It took him a moment to recognise the person who was standing a few feet ahead of him.
“Liz?!”.
He had met Liz and the rest of his human friends in high school and they had been best friends ever since. Their friendship had survived her finding out that he, Zan, Rath, Isabel, Ava, Tess, Michael and Vilondra were aliens. Their friendship had survived a lot of things and because of that, Liz Parker was one of the most important people in his life.
A pair of jeans, red top and a blazer dressed her petite frame, which he had appreciated on more than one occasion. Her tanned skin combined with her chocolate brown eyes, to him, made her glow.
She was breathtaking.
She, as he did her, left him breathless as they came out of their powerful bear hug.
Her eyes danced as he opened and closed him mouth.
“Surprised to see me?” she asked.
“Well yeah, I thought you weren’t going to be back till Thursday,” he replied.
“I was but I decided to come back early to get back into things. I came back yesterday and relaxed. Isabel told me you were here so I thought I’d come say hi,” she explained.
Max nodded in acceptance of her explanation while his eyes travelled the length of her body.
“You look really great. Barbados must have agreed with you.”
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ears, an adorable action which he never tired of seeing, she nodded. “Yeah, I had a great time.”
Max, in an action that was natural to him, wrapped his arm around her and together they began to walk.
“Roman Holiday is playing at the Revival House tonight, can I count you in?” she asked.
“I‘d love to, but I can‘t,“ he replied. “Maria flew in today.”
Liz came to a sudden halt and looked up at him in surprise. “She did?”
He nodded his head with a wide grin on his face which only served to crush her hopeful heart.
“Wow”, she breathed taking a deep slow breath.
First Tess and now Maria, when will my time come?
“I know that on the phone you said that she was coming,“ she continued, “but I didn’t know that she was coming a week before.”
Finally composing her emotions, Liz looked up into the eyes of the love of her life.
Max Evans was the love of her life and he didn’t even know it. Or rather he had known it till he went to music camp.
“That’s great!”, she enthused, “she’s finally here.”
“It’s amazing.“ She watched jealously as his eyes lit up and as half smile progressed into a full blown excited smile.
“I know I saw her a few weeks ago in Roswell,” he continued, “ but it feels like I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Liz smiled wistfully. She realised that she couldn’t look at his sparkling eyes anymore knowing that she wasn’t the one who had put them there, so separated by the invisible presence of Maria Deluca, walking side by side, she resumed their walk.
“I’m really happy for you, Max,” she told him while silently wishing that she could feel completely happy for him. “I know how much she means to you.”
From the corner of her eye she saw him nod in thanks.
“I can’t wait for you guys to meet her. She’s already met Rath and Zan ‘cause they had to pick her up but, I’d really like her to meet you. I think you two would really hit it off.”
“Why don’t you bring her tonight?” she suggested.
Max immediately frowned at the idea. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Maria to meet his friends - he wanted her to meet them and to love them as much as he did and vice versa - but he wanted her first night in New York to be about the two of them instead of everyone else.
“She just flew in today and Rath said that she was sleeping when I called to check up on her again, so she’ll probably be too tired to hang out with everyone.”
It wasn’t a lie, he reasoned, because she would be tired and meeting his whole group of friends would only tire her out more.
“Oh, okay.”
Liz’s crestfallen tone made him feel a little guilty but not enough to share Maria on her first night in New York.
“But you’ll get to meet her tomorrow for dinner,“ he added in consolation. “You are coming right?”
“The opportunity to eat you and Zan’s fine cuisine and meet the infamous Maria Deluca? How can I pass that up?”.
“Good,” he smiled.
They came to a stop at the end of the street. Liz had to go right to catch the subway home, Max had to go left.
“Well I’ll see you tomorrow then,” she said.
“Tomorrow,” he nodded before turning to continue his journey home.
****
Liz watched Max walk further and further away from her. She waited until she couldn’t see him and then continued with the rest of her journey home in a state of disappointment.
She had been in love with Max since they met in high school. She thought he saw their relationship as strictly platonic until, at the age of 16, they had somehow ended up at a party that was doomed to get out of hand, which it did, she got shot and Max healed her.
The life changing thing for her had been the fact that, he not only healed her, but she saw into his soul and vice versa. As she had lay bleeding on the ground under the starlit night, as Max Evans risked his life to heal her, she had seen herself through his eyes and to him she was beautiful.
After that, things became awkward between them as a sudden connection linked them together. Liz could feel him always and whenever he was near she felt his presence with an intensity that sometimes left her breathless but when he had left for music camp and came back, their connection had waned.
All because of Maria.
Maria was different from Tess.
First of all biologically she was human, Tess was a hybrid.
Secondly Tess had been Max’s alien bride who was supposed to continue her role with him on earth - they had tried that and to her relief had decided that they weren’t meant to be. Maria was the girl Max had chosen of his free will, the girl he had chosen to freely give his virginity to. A truth which when Liz had found out, made her feel like she wanted to throw up, like her heart had been suddenly viciously torn out of her chest. She had experienced a tidal wave of these feelings all at the same time and only in the safety of her room, had she had let her tears fall.
Maria was the girl that when mentioned made Max’s eyes light up in a way that constantly amazed her.
Maria was the reason that her and Max’s connection had waned. Maria was the girl Max was connected to in a different, deeper way then the connection they had shared together.
Max had dated her for a few days of music camp, but apparently they had decided to be “friends”, which was why last year, at the age of 19, he had lost his virginity to her, which was why this year he had placed a Kingly demand that she move in with him - Liz doubted that they were just friends.
Liz wanted to hate her, but she had a feeling that because Max loved her, she would too and that was the worst part of it all.
****
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
AN: Hey guys, managed to get a part out for this fic. It has been playing in my head for ages so I thought it was about time I posted it.
Bumpage thanks go to:
LittleHottie510
~Ruby~
Earth2Mama - The Max/Liz angle will be handled a little later but I wii say that Maria is definitely the reason Max can’t see Liz right now.
Elf
Thanks guys.
What to say about this next part… little bit of Zan/Maria, lots of Max/Maria because I have to establish their relationship and then Zan can mess with the flow.
****
Previously
Maria was the girl that when mentioned made Max’s eyes light up in a way that constantly amazed her.
Maria was the reason that her and Max’s connection had waned. Maria was the girl Max was connected to in a different, deeper way then the connection they had shared together.
Max had dated her for a few days of music camp, but apparently they had decided to be “friends”, which was why last year, at the age of 19, he had lost his virginity to her, which was why this year he had placed a Kingly demand that she move in with him - Liz doubted that they were just friends.
Liz wanted to hate her, but she had a feeling that because Max loved her, she would too and that was the worst part of it all.
****
Part 4
The second he unlocked the door, Max was a man on a mission. He let the door swing shut and then stepped into his home. He acknowledged Rath’s presence on the couch with a brief greeting before continuing his search for the blazing goddess that was Maria Deluca.
“She’s upstairs doing some unpacking,” helped a bemused Rath.
It had been so long since he had seen his friend nervously excited, that the appeal of his video games floundered - watching this long-awaited reunion would be so much more entertaining.
Max took exactly four steps towards the staircase which led to the first floor of their large apartment, when movement was heard from that very location.
Rath watched with great interest as he saw Maria’s curious face appear over the banister. A wide smile swept her face while Max’s face exploded with joy.
And he says that they’re just friends, he thought sceptically.
****
Maria didn’t waste anymore time, after her initial visual confirmation of Max’s presence, she found her feet quickly carrying her down the stairs and into the his welcoming arms. It was true that she had only seen him a few weeks before but it seemed like months.
She inhaled his spicy masculine scent tinged with his natural pheromones and smiled as her heart threatened to burst with joy. She savoured their embrace, each shared heartbeat and every whispered word of love.
Max couldn’t stop himself from grinning. He had almost forgotten how right she felt in his embrace, how calm and peaceful being in her presence always made him feel. In the four years they had known each other, they had helped each other grow and become the people they were at that moment.
As they finally lessened the intensity of their embrace for need of breathing, Max stared the girl, who caused his body to soar when she smiled. He tried to recall how many times he had wondered how he could love someone so deeply, yet in a different way then he had ever expected to love someone. It didn’t matter how many times the thought and overwhelming feeling, it created occurred, it always came as a slight pleasant shock to him.
Unable to separate themselves completely from each other, they stood holding each other’s hands.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he marvelled.
“Me either,” she added dazed,” It’s, it’s…”.
He watched her fondly as she searched for the words to describe four tumultuous years of life-changing experiences and knew that she would have great difficulty trying to capture them in a sentence. He however, didn’t have that difficulty, he knew exactly what it was to him, to her, to them both.
“It’s just what we both need,” he finished.
“You are not kidding”, she emphatically agreed.
After more moments of absorbing each other’s presence, re-familiarising their eyes to each other, Max slid his arm around her waist, pulled her to him while closing the gap between them.
“So, do you like?”. At her suggestive eyebrow he added, “the apartment I mean and,” he nodded his head in Rath’s direction,” the company.”
Maria wrapped her arms around his waist before glancing in Rath’s direction just in time to see his head sharply turn away from them and back to the television screen.
An amused laugh escaped her as her eyes settled back onto Max. “Well, I knew you were loaded but I didn’t know that you were this loaded,” she told him.
The apartment was like a large open spaced penthouse, with a fully stocked kitchen, living room, dinning room, bedrooms oh and exercise room. All the boys were downstairs while Maria had been given the room on the first and only floor. As well as the expected things to be found in a furnished bedroom, it came with equipped with an ensuite bathroom, cable t.v and dvd player.
“…The place I love and the company…,“ she pretended to seriously ponder the question, “…will definitely offer sources of amusement.”
“Back attcha Blondie”, quipped Rath.
“Hello, private conversation,” she responded, “and don’t call me Blondie if you don’t want me to call you Rathie,” she deliberated for a moment, “Or maybe Cathie sounds better.”
“Want privacy, go into a room with a closed door not in this open space,” he retorted. “And I ain’t big on Cathie or Rathie, so you got a deal yo.”
A small smile escaped Max’s lips as he led Maria to the couch.
Her and Rath were going to get along fine.
Her and Zan on the other hand, he thought worriedly as his remembered his brothers angry tone on the phone.
I guess I’m going to have do damage control if it comes down to it.
I’ll talk to Zan as soon as-
A door opened and closed jerking Max from his thoughts.
Well speak of the devil, he thought as Zan emerged from his room.
“Hey bro,” he called.
****
Zan had the sudden urge to turn around and go back into his room but he figured that that action would raise a few flags.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like Maria, it was just that she was cute, stubborn and annoying. Everytime he saw her, he had an instant reaction to her.
Like I’m having right now, he thought with a frown as he approached them.
“Hey,” he responded neutrally.
His frown deepened when he fully took in the scene before him. What bothered him wasn’t the fact that they were all sitting around comfortably, it was the fact that while Max was sitting on the couch, Maria was on his lap. Wrapped in his arms.
Snuggled comfortably against his chest.
Her head rested on his shoulder with hands covering his.
The image of them comfortably exhibiting couple-like behaviour had been one he had seen in a few pictures and that had been fine, but witnessing it before his eyes was a different issue.
Not wanting to examine what his reaction meant or what the feelings he experienced were, Zan opted to ignore it and attribute it to the fact that he hadn’t seen his brother behave that way with any of the girls he had dated.
Maria really is special, he realised with surprise.
So get over your whacked out reaction and move on, he coached himself.
He ignored Rath’s quizzically raised eyebrow, Maria’s inquisitive gaze and instead turned his attention to his brother.
“How goes the day at the lab?” he asked.
“Tiring but good. I’m gonna take a shower and then,” he turned his attention to Maria,” if you’re not too tired later, I was thinking maybe dinner and some sight seeing?”.
Zan had never seen his brother happier, his face was alight with pure joy and his whole demeanour had changed.
Envy.
That’s what he felt as he watched Maria smile and nod in acceptance of his offer.
Why he felt envious however was something he vowed not to explore.
“Cool yo,” he shrugged. He figured that if he didn’t address Maria, Max would be on his back and that was something he wanted to put off as long as possible.
“Hope you have a good time Blondie,” he told her.
As expected, fire flashed in her eyes. He had guessed that calling her Blondie would anger her. Zan couldn’t help it, her flares ignited his and he loved the sensation.
“Zan,” she said sweetly, “call me Blondie again and I will make you pay.”
“Deal…Blondie.”
His satisfied smirk contrasted her disbelieving smile.
“I’m gonna go eat,” he said heading for the kitchen and essentially cutting off any retort she had planned.
****
Bumpage thanks go to:
LittleHottie510
~Ruby~
Earth2Mama - The Max/Liz angle will be handled a little later but I wii say that Maria is definitely the reason Max can’t see Liz right now.
Elf
Thanks guys.
What to say about this next part… little bit of Zan/Maria, lots of Max/Maria because I have to establish their relationship and then Zan can mess with the flow.
****
Previously
Maria was the girl that when mentioned made Max’s eyes light up in a way that constantly amazed her.
Maria was the reason that her and Max’s connection had waned. Maria was the girl Max was connected to in a different, deeper way then the connection they had shared together.
Max had dated her for a few days of music camp, but apparently they had decided to be “friends”, which was why last year, at the age of 19, he had lost his virginity to her, which was why this year he had placed a Kingly demand that she move in with him - Liz doubted that they were just friends.
Liz wanted to hate her, but she had a feeling that because Max loved her, she would too and that was the worst part of it all.
****
Part 4
The second he unlocked the door, Max was a man on a mission. He let the door swing shut and then stepped into his home. He acknowledged Rath’s presence on the couch with a brief greeting before continuing his search for the blazing goddess that was Maria Deluca.
“She’s upstairs doing some unpacking,” helped a bemused Rath.
It had been so long since he had seen his friend nervously excited, that the appeal of his video games floundered - watching this long-awaited reunion would be so much more entertaining.
Max took exactly four steps towards the staircase which led to the first floor of their large apartment, when movement was heard from that very location.
Rath watched with great interest as he saw Maria’s curious face appear over the banister. A wide smile swept her face while Max’s face exploded with joy.
And he says that they’re just friends, he thought sceptically.
****
Maria didn’t waste anymore time, after her initial visual confirmation of Max’s presence, she found her feet quickly carrying her down the stairs and into the his welcoming arms. It was true that she had only seen him a few weeks before but it seemed like months.
She inhaled his spicy masculine scent tinged with his natural pheromones and smiled as her heart threatened to burst with joy. She savoured their embrace, each shared heartbeat and every whispered word of love.
Max couldn’t stop himself from grinning. He had almost forgotten how right she felt in his embrace, how calm and peaceful being in her presence always made him feel. In the four years they had known each other, they had helped each other grow and become the people they were at that moment.
As they finally lessened the intensity of their embrace for need of breathing, Max stared the girl, who caused his body to soar when she smiled. He tried to recall how many times he had wondered how he could love someone so deeply, yet in a different way then he had ever expected to love someone. It didn’t matter how many times the thought and overwhelming feeling, it created occurred, it always came as a slight pleasant shock to him.
Unable to separate themselves completely from each other, they stood holding each other’s hands.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he marvelled.
“Me either,” she added dazed,” It’s, it’s…”.
He watched her fondly as she searched for the words to describe four tumultuous years of life-changing experiences and knew that she would have great difficulty trying to capture them in a sentence. He however, didn’t have that difficulty, he knew exactly what it was to him, to her, to them both.
“It’s just what we both need,” he finished.
“You are not kidding”, she emphatically agreed.
After more moments of absorbing each other’s presence, re-familiarising their eyes to each other, Max slid his arm around her waist, pulled her to him while closing the gap between them.
“So, do you like?”. At her suggestive eyebrow he added, “the apartment I mean and,” he nodded his head in Rath’s direction,” the company.”
Maria wrapped her arms around his waist before glancing in Rath’s direction just in time to see his head sharply turn away from them and back to the television screen.
An amused laugh escaped her as her eyes settled back onto Max. “Well, I knew you were loaded but I didn’t know that you were this loaded,” she told him.
The apartment was like a large open spaced penthouse, with a fully stocked kitchen, living room, dinning room, bedrooms oh and exercise room. All the boys were downstairs while Maria had been given the room on the first and only floor. As well as the expected things to be found in a furnished bedroom, it came with equipped with an ensuite bathroom, cable t.v and dvd player.
“…The place I love and the company…,“ she pretended to seriously ponder the question, “…will definitely offer sources of amusement.”
“Back attcha Blondie”, quipped Rath.
“Hello, private conversation,” she responded, “and don’t call me Blondie if you don’t want me to call you Rathie,” she deliberated for a moment, “Or maybe Cathie sounds better.”
“Want privacy, go into a room with a closed door not in this open space,” he retorted. “And I ain’t big on Cathie or Rathie, so you got a deal yo.”
A small smile escaped Max’s lips as he led Maria to the couch.
Her and Rath were going to get along fine.
Her and Zan on the other hand, he thought worriedly as his remembered his brothers angry tone on the phone.
I guess I’m going to have do damage control if it comes down to it.
I’ll talk to Zan as soon as-
A door opened and closed jerking Max from his thoughts.
Well speak of the devil, he thought as Zan emerged from his room.
“Hey bro,” he called.
****
Zan had the sudden urge to turn around and go back into his room but he figured that that action would raise a few flags.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like Maria, it was just that she was cute, stubborn and annoying. Everytime he saw her, he had an instant reaction to her.
Like I’m having right now, he thought with a frown as he approached them.
“Hey,” he responded neutrally.
His frown deepened when he fully took in the scene before him. What bothered him wasn’t the fact that they were all sitting around comfortably, it was the fact that while Max was sitting on the couch, Maria was on his lap. Wrapped in his arms.
Snuggled comfortably against his chest.
Her head rested on his shoulder with hands covering his.
The image of them comfortably exhibiting couple-like behaviour had been one he had seen in a few pictures and that had been fine, but witnessing it before his eyes was a different issue.
Not wanting to examine what his reaction meant or what the feelings he experienced were, Zan opted to ignore it and attribute it to the fact that he hadn’t seen his brother behave that way with any of the girls he had dated.
Maria really is special, he realised with surprise.
So get over your whacked out reaction and move on, he coached himself.
He ignored Rath’s quizzically raised eyebrow, Maria’s inquisitive gaze and instead turned his attention to his brother.
“How goes the day at the lab?” he asked.
“Tiring but good. I’m gonna take a shower and then,” he turned his attention to Maria,” if you’re not too tired later, I was thinking maybe dinner and some sight seeing?”.
Zan had never seen his brother happier, his face was alight with pure joy and his whole demeanour had changed.
Envy.
That’s what he felt as he watched Maria smile and nod in acceptance of his offer.
Why he felt envious however was something he vowed not to explore.
“Cool yo,” he shrugged. He figured that if he didn’t address Maria, Max would be on his back and that was something he wanted to put off as long as possible.
“Hope you have a good time Blondie,” he told her.
As expected, fire flashed in her eyes. He had guessed that calling her Blondie would anger her. Zan couldn’t help it, her flares ignited his and he loved the sensation.
“Zan,” she said sweetly, “call me Blondie again and I will make you pay.”
“Deal…Blondie.”
His satisfied smirk contrasted her disbelieving smile.
“I’m gonna go eat,” he said heading for the kitchen and essentially cutting off any retort she had planned.
****
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
****
Maria grinned in amusement at Max’s tense form.
She could tell exactly what he was thinking and true, Zan was an ass and they did clash, but it was non-issue.
She shifted her body so that her legs lay across his lap.
“Don’t stress out Max, Zan and I, we’re cool. That’s how our relationship works.” She flashed him a reassuring smile before wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing closer to him.
She had more pressing things to attend to other than Zan and his annoying tendencies. Things like, to be blunt, her sexual gratification for instance.
Frustrated was a word she had grown used to after her and Max slept together last year. Now, she experienced a hunger only he could fulfil and vice-versa.
“So,” she purred,” you were talking about a shower?”.
With one look in her eyes, Max felt the atmosphere between them change. It charged with a mutual sexual heat growing in intensity.
“Care to join me?” he asked.
Their foreheads touched as he stared up into her smouldering eyes.
“Of course,” she answered with a sexy secret smile. A smile which held promises and memories. Hot, passionate memories.
“Now why can’t I find a friend like that?” quipped Rath.
Max rose from the couch, taking a giggling Maria with him.
“I’m just lucky I guess,” he replied before, oblivious to the dark amber eyes that followed their departure, he carried her to his bedroom.
****
The second the door closed behind them, Maria pounced.
Her lips fused with his forcing his back to slam back into the door. Max gently let her feet back on the ground to free his arms, giving them both more freedom to explore each other.
His hands torturously trailed down her waist, burning everywhere they touched, fuelling her desire, awakening her once again.
“This feels so good,“ she managed through panted breath.
“Maria…,” he groaned as his lips rediscovered the joys and pleasure derived from exploring her neck.
All she could do was moan in response as her hands reacquainted themselves with his hair, the small hairs at the nape of his neck, his toned body ached to have skin to skin contact.
“Max,,“ she said breaking away to refill her lungs, “you can’t have unbelievably great sex with a girl several times and expect her not to come back for more do you?” she joked.
“Of course not,“ he laughed huskily, “I aim to please.”
“Back attcha,” she grinned imitating Rath.
Max’s grin faded as she captured his lips once again. He returned her passion with equal fervour and desire. He did just want to taste her lips or feel her through fabric when he had done so much more before. In his arms, she was deliciously lickable, which was why the headed for the bed.
Maria couldn’t help but grin as Max supported her head as he gently laid her onto his bed.
“Always such the gentle man,” she said fondly. Without waiting for a response, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down towards her.
****
Her kisses were for lack of a better word, revitalising. As their tongues duelled and danced, Max groaned with pleasure as every cell in his body experienced the sensation of being splashed with a bucket of cold water along with a highly satisfying shock of energy. Her touch, as her fingers strayed under his shirt, running along his chest and around his back, made him more aware, sharpened his senses. He felt her, smelt her with such an overwhelming intensity that it made it very hard for him to pull away but he had to.
“What?” she groaned in protest at the absence of his body heat.
“I spent all day in the lab,” he explained. Looking down at her puffy, pink alluring lips, he groaned in frustration at his restraint. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”
Maria moved her leg which was in-between his. Her movement elicited a tortuously aroused moan from him. He opened his eyes to find hers sparkling in amusement at his reaction.
“I have some idea,” she teased.
He kissed her. It was slow, deep and soul affirming.
“Good,” he said,” so you won’t be offended when I say that I really need to get rid of the day’s grimes before we umm,” he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“No, I won’t”, she said laughed.
“Won’t be long,” he kissed her on the cheek before hopping off the bed and racing into his shower.
Maria on propped elbow took it as an opportunity to survey his room. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It had the large, comfortable and probably expensive bed, work desk, drawers, wardrobes. Then there were the things that made it Max’s like his Counting Crows posters, the photographs of friends and no doubt family that were arranged and framed on his walls.
She heard the shower running and hoped that Max would hurry his cute ass up.
She had no idea what came over her, but that was always the way with Max especially now. That was one of the things she loved about their friendship, it seemed natural somehow to fulfil their most intimate of needs and it was also equally natural for them to stop if either or both were in a relationship with other people. She had stopped questioning the way things were with Max, they had shared a lot of things, experienced each other’s fears and helped each other through their respective nightmares. It had all resulted into her sensing him when he was near, them having an unspoken, unwritten, expected responses to given situations. Their friendship was what it was and both were happy with it.
She exhaled deeply in an attempt to control the feelings and sensations he had stirred up in her. It was a very hard task which was getting more difficult by the minute. Just when Maria thought that she would have to go into the shower and have her way with him right in there, he appeared with an adorable shy grin, damp hair and toned chest both begging for her touch and a wet towel around his waist.
She sat up onto the edge of the bed, her heart beating rapidly as he approached her.
“You are really something, you know that?“ she asked softly.
He stood in front of her admiring her inviting form.
“I gotta say,“ he murmured with a sexy smile, “ so are you.”
****
“You got my black leather jacket?!” asked Zan.
Rath didn’t even bother looking up. He was getting his ass kicked by the computer and was not in the most pleasant of moods.
“Should be in Max’s room over his chair”, he called.
He heard Zan’s footsteps continue probably to Max’s door and wondered if he should have told him that Maria was still in there.
If they want privacy, they’ll have locked the door, he reasoned.
****
Zan turned the handle, walked straight into his brother’s room and stopped dead at the scene in front of him.
His brother with his towel around his waist sat up on his bed, Maria in his lap, with her legs wrapped around his waist, wearing, from what he could tell, a lacy yellow bra, in the middle of a very heated kiss.
Seeing them together felt like someone had actually stabbed him in the heart and he had know idea why. He didn’t have time to wonder however, because the next instant, he locked eyes with Max, who then announced his presence summarised by Maria’s gasp.
“Sorry,” he apologised before turning around, walking out of the door and closing it behind him.
****
“Got the jacket?” asked Rath.
Things had turned around, he was back to kicking ass and taking names.
“Nope,” answered Zan as he marched past him. “Going for a walk,” he added in a determined tone.
Rath watched puzzled as Zan grabbed a coat from the coat rack, leaving the sound of a slamming door as evidence of his departure.
He shrugged dismissing the incident and turned his attention back to his game.
****
“Is it me or did he just ruin the mood?” asked Maria.
Things had been going extremely well until the bane of her existence walked in on them.
“He just ruined the mood,” agreed Max.
Raising her head heavenwards in prayer for patience, Maria got off him, put on her top and rolled off the bed.
“Lock the door next time,” she grinned.
“Next time, give me a chance to,” he quipped.
Max watched as she opened the door and before leaving glanced back at him.
“By the way, is dinner dressy? Or dressy-cas?” she asked. Dressy-cas was Maria's shortened version of dressy but casual nightwear., just one of the many Maria terms he was now well versed with.
“Dressy-cas,” he replied.
“See you tonight, then” she winked before closing the door behind her.
Max fell back onto his bed unable to keep himself from smiling.
Maria was definitely a very special girl. He had never done that with anyone. She was the only girl he trusted with that much of himself and she wasn’t a girlfriend. It was weird strange and wacky but that was their relationship and it worked fine.
****
Maria grinned in amusement at Max’s tense form.
She could tell exactly what he was thinking and true, Zan was an ass and they did clash, but it was non-issue.
She shifted her body so that her legs lay across his lap.
“Don’t stress out Max, Zan and I, we’re cool. That’s how our relationship works.” She flashed him a reassuring smile before wrapping her arms around his neck and drawing closer to him.
She had more pressing things to attend to other than Zan and his annoying tendencies. Things like, to be blunt, her sexual gratification for instance.
Frustrated was a word she had grown used to after her and Max slept together last year. Now, she experienced a hunger only he could fulfil and vice-versa.
“So,” she purred,” you were talking about a shower?”.
With one look in her eyes, Max felt the atmosphere between them change. It charged with a mutual sexual heat growing in intensity.
“Care to join me?” he asked.
Their foreheads touched as he stared up into her smouldering eyes.
“Of course,” she answered with a sexy secret smile. A smile which held promises and memories. Hot, passionate memories.
“Now why can’t I find a friend like that?” quipped Rath.
Max rose from the couch, taking a giggling Maria with him.
“I’m just lucky I guess,” he replied before, oblivious to the dark amber eyes that followed their departure, he carried her to his bedroom.
****
The second the door closed behind them, Maria pounced.
Her lips fused with his forcing his back to slam back into the door. Max gently let her feet back on the ground to free his arms, giving them both more freedom to explore each other.
His hands torturously trailed down her waist, burning everywhere they touched, fuelling her desire, awakening her once again.
“This feels so good,“ she managed through panted breath.
“Maria…,” he groaned as his lips rediscovered the joys and pleasure derived from exploring her neck.
All she could do was moan in response as her hands reacquainted themselves with his hair, the small hairs at the nape of his neck, his toned body ached to have skin to skin contact.
“Max,,“ she said breaking away to refill her lungs, “you can’t have unbelievably great sex with a girl several times and expect her not to come back for more do you?” she joked.
“Of course not,“ he laughed huskily, “I aim to please.”
“Back attcha,” she grinned imitating Rath.
Max’s grin faded as she captured his lips once again. He returned her passion with equal fervour and desire. He did just want to taste her lips or feel her through fabric when he had done so much more before. In his arms, she was deliciously lickable, which was why the headed for the bed.
Maria couldn’t help but grin as Max supported her head as he gently laid her onto his bed.
“Always such the gentle man,” she said fondly. Without waiting for a response, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down towards her.
****
Her kisses were for lack of a better word, revitalising. As their tongues duelled and danced, Max groaned with pleasure as every cell in his body experienced the sensation of being splashed with a bucket of cold water along with a highly satisfying shock of energy. Her touch, as her fingers strayed under his shirt, running along his chest and around his back, made him more aware, sharpened his senses. He felt her, smelt her with such an overwhelming intensity that it made it very hard for him to pull away but he had to.
“What?” she groaned in protest at the absence of his body heat.
“I spent all day in the lab,” he explained. Looking down at her puffy, pink alluring lips, he groaned in frustration at his restraint. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”
Maria moved her leg which was in-between his. Her movement elicited a tortuously aroused moan from him. He opened his eyes to find hers sparkling in amusement at his reaction.
“I have some idea,” she teased.
He kissed her. It was slow, deep and soul affirming.
“Good,” he said,” so you won’t be offended when I say that I really need to get rid of the day’s grimes before we umm,” he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“No, I won’t”, she said laughed.
“Won’t be long,” he kissed her on the cheek before hopping off the bed and racing into his shower.
Maria on propped elbow took it as an opportunity to survey his room. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It had the large, comfortable and probably expensive bed, work desk, drawers, wardrobes. Then there were the things that made it Max’s like his Counting Crows posters, the photographs of friends and no doubt family that were arranged and framed on his walls.
She heard the shower running and hoped that Max would hurry his cute ass up.
She had no idea what came over her, but that was always the way with Max especially now. That was one of the things she loved about their friendship, it seemed natural somehow to fulfil their most intimate of needs and it was also equally natural for them to stop if either or both were in a relationship with other people. She had stopped questioning the way things were with Max, they had shared a lot of things, experienced each other’s fears and helped each other through their respective nightmares. It had all resulted into her sensing him when he was near, them having an unspoken, unwritten, expected responses to given situations. Their friendship was what it was and both were happy with it.
She exhaled deeply in an attempt to control the feelings and sensations he had stirred up in her. It was a very hard task which was getting more difficult by the minute. Just when Maria thought that she would have to go into the shower and have her way with him right in there, he appeared with an adorable shy grin, damp hair and toned chest both begging for her touch and a wet towel around his waist.
She sat up onto the edge of the bed, her heart beating rapidly as he approached her.
“You are really something, you know that?“ she asked softly.
He stood in front of her admiring her inviting form.
“I gotta say,“ he murmured with a sexy smile, “ so are you.”
****
“You got my black leather jacket?!” asked Zan.
Rath didn’t even bother looking up. He was getting his ass kicked by the computer and was not in the most pleasant of moods.
“Should be in Max’s room over his chair”, he called.
He heard Zan’s footsteps continue probably to Max’s door and wondered if he should have told him that Maria was still in there.
If they want privacy, they’ll have locked the door, he reasoned.
****
Zan turned the handle, walked straight into his brother’s room and stopped dead at the scene in front of him.
His brother with his towel around his waist sat up on his bed, Maria in his lap, with her legs wrapped around his waist, wearing, from what he could tell, a lacy yellow bra, in the middle of a very heated kiss.
Seeing them together felt like someone had actually stabbed him in the heart and he had know idea why. He didn’t have time to wonder however, because the next instant, he locked eyes with Max, who then announced his presence summarised by Maria’s gasp.
“Sorry,” he apologised before turning around, walking out of the door and closing it behind him.
****
“Got the jacket?” asked Rath.
Things had turned around, he was back to kicking ass and taking names.
“Nope,” answered Zan as he marched past him. “Going for a walk,” he added in a determined tone.
Rath watched puzzled as Zan grabbed a coat from the coat rack, leaving the sound of a slamming door as evidence of his departure.
He shrugged dismissing the incident and turned his attention back to his game.
****
“Is it me or did he just ruin the mood?” asked Maria.
Things had been going extremely well until the bane of her existence walked in on them.
“He just ruined the mood,” agreed Max.
Raising her head heavenwards in prayer for patience, Maria got off him, put on her top and rolled off the bed.
“Lock the door next time,” she grinned.
“Next time, give me a chance to,” he quipped.
Max watched as she opened the door and before leaving glanced back at him.
“By the way, is dinner dressy? Or dressy-cas?” she asked. Dressy-cas was Maria's shortened version of dressy but casual nightwear., just one of the many Maria terms he was now well versed with.
“Dressy-cas,” he replied.
“See you tonight, then” she winked before closing the door behind her.
Max fell back onto his bed unable to keep himself from smiling.
Maria was definitely a very special girl. He had never done that with anyone. She was the only girl he trusted with that much of himself and she wasn’t a girlfriend. It was weird strange and wacky but that was their relationship and it worked fine.
****
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willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
AN: New part is up.
Previously
Zan turned the handle, walked straight into his brother’’s room and stopped dead at the scene in front of him.
His brother with his towel around his waist sat up on his bed, Maria in his lap, with her legs wrapped around his waist, wearing, from what he could tell, a lacy yellow bra, in the middle of a very heated kiss.
Seeing them together felt like someone had actually stabbed him in the heart and he had know idea why. He didn’’t have time to wonder however, because the next instant, he locked eyes with Max, who then announced his presence summarised by Maria’’s gasp.
“Sorry,” he apologised before turning around, walking out of the door and closing it behind him.
****
“Got the jacket?”asked Rath.
Things had turned around, he was back to kicking ass and taking names.
“Nope,”answered Zan as he marched past him. “Going for a walk,” he added in a determined tone.
Rath watched puzzled as Zan grabbed a coat from the coat rack, leaving the sound of a slamming door as evidence of his departure.
He shrugged dismissing the incident and turned his attention back to his game.
****
"Is it me or did he just ruin the mood?”asked Maria.
Things had been going extremely well until the bane of her existence walked in on them.
“He just ruined the mood,”agreed Max.
Raising her head heavenwards in prayer for patience, Maria got off him, put on her top and rolled off the bed.
“Lock the door next time,” she grinned.
“Next time, give me a chance to,” he quipped.
Max watched as she opened the door and before leaving glanced back at him.
“By the way, is dinner dressy? Or dressy-cas?”she asked. Dressy-cas was Maria's shortened version of dressy but casual nightwear., just one of the many Maria terms he was now well versed with.
“Dressy-cas,” he replied.
“See you tonight, then” she winked before closing the door behind her.
Max fell back onto his bed unable to keep himself from smiling.
Maria was definitely a very special girl. He had never done that with anyone. She was the only girl he trusted with that much of himself and she wasn't a girlfriend. It was weird strange and wacky but that was their relationship and it worked fine.
****
Part 5
The pain was unfathomable, and praying for it to stop would only work for a few seconds or if she was lucky for a few minutes so that just when she had been lulled into thinking that it was over or that she was ready for it this time, it kicked in with a vengenance. Every body wrenching push should have been a painful means to a good end but it wasn't.
What was coming out of her wouldn't cry, it wouldn't grow up to whatever it dreamed of. It wouldn't grow up at all because she wasn't giving birth to life, she was giving birth to death.
With every push something within her died.She was no longer a carrier of the next generation, she was just an instrument, almost like a surrogate and soon, it would be over and she would be okay.
At least that's what she told herself.
There were only two things that carried the warm flow of comfort and life into her. One of them, was his hand tightly gripped by her own, his soothing words and comforting pools of watered dark chocolate. The second was her mother's soft caress sweeping across her heated forehead and sometimes squeezing her other hand in support.
They were her two support systems through the whole soul killing process, and when it was over, she sobbed into his chest. She felt nothing but emptyness not only in her vacant womb, but in her whole being.
She was just a shell filled with tears.
Maria's eyes were forced open when she felt her heart being squeezed and twisted in her chest.
It was just a dream, came the reassuring voice.
It's over, it's already happened.
To ride out the soreness and other sensations which attacked her conscious physical body, Maria lay still, breathing heavily in the darkness until they faded.
Wiping away her dream induced tears, she threw back her bed-covers in an attempt to return her body from a chilling cold sweat to its normal state. Laying on her back, she stared at the ceiling and for a few moments escaped into the moonlit darkness.
It had been three years and the dreams still kept coming. They weren't as painfully vivid and as frequent as they had been in the early days, but today's dream had been more intense than the ones she was used to. For Maria, there were plenty of things to have nightmares about, but if she had been asked for a nightmare prediction, she wouldn't have predicted the one about losing her baby.
Her fingers absently trailed across her flat stomach. The fleeting thought that it would never grow to that large size again struck another pang in her heart.
"Okay," she said aloud as she decisively sat up and swung her legs over the edge of her bed.
I know exactly what I need and it's not sitting here and relieving that.
Pain does not rule my life anymore.
Grabbing her silk gown, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.
****
Zan rode out the final waves of orgasmic ecstacy before rolling away from her and onto his back.
The her in question, was Julia Saunders, a cute feisty brunette he had picked up in a club three weeks ago. He liked Julia because she knew the score and was fine with it. He wasn't looking for anything long-term or serious and neither was she. It was perfect.
Except that tonight when had been having sex with her, he had pretended that she was a certain green eyed irritating blonde.
He glanced at the satisfied brunette beside him and between the heavy pants, one thought came through loud and clear.
I am twisted and so f***ed up.
She met his gaze. "Hey you okay babe?" she asked.
He flashed her a smiled before staring at the ceiling in reply. "Yeah, why?"
"It's just you were pretty rough, hard and fast tonight," she replied.
Oh be a scumbag why don't you?.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" he asked.
"No. I liked it," she smiled, "Just wanted to check if you had some pent up feelings that you wanna talk about."
Yeah, I wanna do my brother's girl.
"Nothing but wanting you babe," he replied.
Julia gave him one more prodding glance before relenting. If Zan didn't want to talk, then he wouldn't. That was just something she was used to now. In three weeks of dating him, they had spent enough time in bed together for her to learn that his behaviour in bed was a good indicator of his general mental state. Tonight for instance, there had been no cuddling after sex, they instead lay in his bed not touching and rarely making eye contact.
Whatever, she decided throwing back the sheets. I'm not gonna get too attached, he'll break my heart and I'm not up for that.
"I'm a bit peckish after all that, um exercise." She grinned as she heard his lazy chuckle.
The man was good in bed and had a cocky confident dangerous allure that made him irresistable to all women. When they went out, she caught and revelled in their envious looks, she had not met a girl yet who could resist Zan Evans' charm.
"Want anything?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled by the t-shirt she was putting on.
"Just a little break before the rest of the show," he replied..
Julia rolled her eyes, an amused smile on her lips. "I'll be back."
****
Well one aspect of their relationship is about that, lol.Earth2Mama wrote:So wait....they aren't dating? They're just....for lack of a better term,
FUCK BUDDIES?
That is a little complicated, I'll give you a hint, it has to do with the whole alieness going on.Earth2Mama wrote:Just curious though, why aren't they officially dating each other?
Previously
Zan turned the handle, walked straight into his brother’’s room and stopped dead at the scene in front of him.
His brother with his towel around his waist sat up on his bed, Maria in his lap, with her legs wrapped around his waist, wearing, from what he could tell, a lacy yellow bra, in the middle of a very heated kiss.
Seeing them together felt like someone had actually stabbed him in the heart and he had know idea why. He didn’’t have time to wonder however, because the next instant, he locked eyes with Max, who then announced his presence summarised by Maria’’s gasp.
“Sorry,” he apologised before turning around, walking out of the door and closing it behind him.
****
“Got the jacket?”asked Rath.
Things had turned around, he was back to kicking ass and taking names.
“Nope,”answered Zan as he marched past him. “Going for a walk,” he added in a determined tone.
Rath watched puzzled as Zan grabbed a coat from the coat rack, leaving the sound of a slamming door as evidence of his departure.
He shrugged dismissing the incident and turned his attention back to his game.
****
"Is it me or did he just ruin the mood?”asked Maria.
Things had been going extremely well until the bane of her existence walked in on them.
“He just ruined the mood,”agreed Max.
Raising her head heavenwards in prayer for patience, Maria got off him, put on her top and rolled off the bed.
“Lock the door next time,” she grinned.
“Next time, give me a chance to,” he quipped.
Max watched as she opened the door and before leaving glanced back at him.
“By the way, is dinner dressy? Or dressy-cas?”she asked. Dressy-cas was Maria's shortened version of dressy but casual nightwear., just one of the many Maria terms he was now well versed with.
“Dressy-cas,” he replied.
“See you tonight, then” she winked before closing the door behind her.
Max fell back onto his bed unable to keep himself from smiling.
Maria was definitely a very special girl. He had never done that with anyone. She was the only girl he trusted with that much of himself and she wasn't a girlfriend. It was weird strange and wacky but that was their relationship and it worked fine.
****
Part 5
The pain was unfathomable, and praying for it to stop would only work for a few seconds or if she was lucky for a few minutes so that just when she had been lulled into thinking that it was over or that she was ready for it this time, it kicked in with a vengenance. Every body wrenching push should have been a painful means to a good end but it wasn't.
What was coming out of her wouldn't cry, it wouldn't grow up to whatever it dreamed of. It wouldn't grow up at all because she wasn't giving birth to life, she was giving birth to death.
With every push something within her died.She was no longer a carrier of the next generation, she was just an instrument, almost like a surrogate and soon, it would be over and she would be okay.
At least that's what she told herself.
There were only two things that carried the warm flow of comfort and life into her. One of them, was his hand tightly gripped by her own, his soothing words and comforting pools of watered dark chocolate. The second was her mother's soft caress sweeping across her heated forehead and sometimes squeezing her other hand in support.
They were her two support systems through the whole soul killing process, and when it was over, she sobbed into his chest. She felt nothing but emptyness not only in her vacant womb, but in her whole being.
She was just a shell filled with tears.
Maria's eyes were forced open when she felt her heart being squeezed and twisted in her chest.
It was just a dream, came the reassuring voice.
It's over, it's already happened.
To ride out the soreness and other sensations which attacked her conscious physical body, Maria lay still, breathing heavily in the darkness until they faded.
Wiping away her dream induced tears, she threw back her bed-covers in an attempt to return her body from a chilling cold sweat to its normal state. Laying on her back, she stared at the ceiling and for a few moments escaped into the moonlit darkness.
It had been three years and the dreams still kept coming. They weren't as painfully vivid and as frequent as they had been in the early days, but today's dream had been more intense than the ones she was used to. For Maria, there were plenty of things to have nightmares about, but if she had been asked for a nightmare prediction, she wouldn't have predicted the one about losing her baby.
Her fingers absently trailed across her flat stomach. The fleeting thought that it would never grow to that large size again struck another pang in her heart.
"Okay," she said aloud as she decisively sat up and swung her legs over the edge of her bed.
I know exactly what I need and it's not sitting here and relieving that.
Pain does not rule my life anymore.
Grabbing her silk gown, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.
****
Zan rode out the final waves of orgasmic ecstacy before rolling away from her and onto his back.
The her in question, was Julia Saunders, a cute feisty brunette he had picked up in a club three weeks ago. He liked Julia because she knew the score and was fine with it. He wasn't looking for anything long-term or serious and neither was she. It was perfect.
Except that tonight when had been having sex with her, he had pretended that she was a certain green eyed irritating blonde.
He glanced at the satisfied brunette beside him and between the heavy pants, one thought came through loud and clear.
I am twisted and so f***ed up.
She met his gaze. "Hey you okay babe?" she asked.
He flashed her a smiled before staring at the ceiling in reply. "Yeah, why?"
"It's just you were pretty rough, hard and fast tonight," she replied.
Oh be a scumbag why don't you?.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" he asked.
"No. I liked it," she smiled, "Just wanted to check if you had some pent up feelings that you wanna talk about."
Yeah, I wanna do my brother's girl.
"Nothing but wanting you babe," he replied.
Julia gave him one more prodding glance before relenting. If Zan didn't want to talk, then he wouldn't. That was just something she was used to now. In three weeks of dating him, they had spent enough time in bed together for her to learn that his behaviour in bed was a good indicator of his general mental state. Tonight for instance, there had been no cuddling after sex, they instead lay in his bed not touching and rarely making eye contact.
Whatever, she decided throwing back the sheets. I'm not gonna get too attached, he'll break my heart and I'm not up for that.
"I'm a bit peckish after all that, um exercise." She grinned as she heard his lazy chuckle.
The man was good in bed and had a cocky confident dangerous allure that made him irresistable to all women. When they went out, she caught and revelled in their envious looks, she had not met a girl yet who could resist Zan Evans' charm.
"Want anything?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled by the t-shirt she was putting on.
"Just a little break before the rest of the show," he replied..
Julia rolled her eyes, an amused smile on her lips. "I'll be back."
****
Last edited by willowbv on Fri Jun 25, 2004 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:40 am
- Location: in a vegas chapel
- Contact:
****
Careful to close the door quietly behind her, Julia made her way to the kitchen in darkness. She knew her way around and didn't need-
Holy f***!
A gasp escaped her when she realised that another figure was in the kitchen.
"Don't freak," came the female voice.
Eyes accustomed to the darkness, she was momentarily blinded by the light. The soft overhead kitchen lights, were flicked on by a pretty blonde in short pajama shorts and a vest.
"I live here," the blonde added.
"Oh," was all she could manage.
They still remained standing where they were, she just instead the kitchen area and the blonde in the corner near the light switch.
"You kinda scared me there, I didn't think anyone was up," explained Maria.
She had been sitting in the soothing darkness with a cup of hot-chocolate when she had spotted the shadow walking towards the kitchen. It had taken her a few seconds to panic and then the calm she had began to posses a year ago kicked in and she was fine.
"I was trying to keep quiet," the girl quickly explained.
Both girls stared at each other and seeing the humour in the situation shared a smile.
Maria slid back onto her stool and sipped her hot chocolate. The girl, obviously more relaxed moved around the kitchen.
"So are you Max or Rath's girlfriend?" she asked.
"Neither," she laughed. "I'm Max's friend. I'm starting at NYU and I'm new the roomate. I'm Maria by the way," she greeted her.
Maria knew the emotions that flickered across her face.
"I'm Julia," she said, "Zan's girlfriend". The emphasis on the word girlfriend did not go unnoticed by Maria, she bit back a smile.
It was the standard check out the competition issue. It was a game she no longer played.
"I'm sure you make a happy couple," she quipped. "Relax, Zan's a hottie but no offense he's arrogant and not my type," she assured her.
Julia was taken aback by her bluntness and although she was reassured, she didn't want to seem like that cat-clawing type of girl.
"I wasn't suggesting that you'd be homewrecking," she quickly explained.
"Just in case it was a random thought," shrugged Maria, "you headed for the fridge?".
Julia took that as a sign that they were cool.
"Yeah, I'm famished."
She opened the fridge door, rifled through and came out with left-over chinese.
"That's the thing with sex,, it's great exercise but then it makes you uber hungry, which makes you eat more, so you couldn't lose weight doing it constantly could you?" asked Maria.
Julia closed her mouth before answering. The girl talked without breathing and she was freakingly astute.
"How did you kno-"
"You have sex hair," she pointed out.
"Oh...Oh!".
Sex hair, of course.
"Sorry, was that a bit too forward?" she asked.
"Yeah, but it's cool, you seem solid," Julia replied.
"Thanks, I think."
She sat on a stool opposite her. Maria seemed like an interesting to know.
"So what are you studying at NYU?" she asked.
"Journalism," Maria replied.
"That's tight, it fits you."
"Thanks, I'm not gonna ask why," she laughed. "How about you?".
"I'm not ready to do the higher education thing yet, so I work at my dad's accounting business by day and party by night."
Julia was not the girl she was expecting Zan to be with, but then again, he was that class of guy; devastatingly handsome, smart and a womaniser.
"And I'm guessing that's where you met Zan," she stated.
"Three weeks ago and it's a good ride," confirmed Julia.
A good ride? She mused. Well it looked like Julia was the same as Zan expect being female.
So no worries about hurt feelings.
"You two are perfect for each other," she smiled.
"How about you? Two fine boys in this house and you're not tempted, you already got one?".
Maria laughed. If she only knew.
"Nope and not wanting one right now. Now it's all me," she replied.
"That's cool yo."
The more they talked, the more Julia liked Maria. She was funny, opinionated and loud, it felt like she had known her for years. Which was why when she asked for a favour in order to repay Zan for a bit of "attitude," he had given her earlier that day, Julia was all too willing to do it. So they spent the rest of time plotting how.
****
Julia's absence had given Zan time to purge Maria out of his thoughts.
She was just a blonde that he was attracted to but with whom nothing would happen with because she belonged to his brother and had no interest in him whatsoever.
The only problem was, those things were what made her even more alluring.
Dammit!!
Frustrated with forbidden desire and seeking release, Zan went in search of Julia.
It was only when he had reached the point where he couldn't turn back unnoticed, when the full implications of hearing two candid female voices pierced through his fog-like thoughts.
That was the instant her eyes met his and suddenly, dressed only in his boxers, he felt very naked.
"Hey, come in search of your girl?" she asked amused.
At that comment, Julia turned around to face him with a smile that made him feel fleeting guilt which was overturned when he reminded himself why he liked her; she was gorgeous, funny, feisty in bed and smart. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
What more could a guy want?
"Uh huh," he replied to Maria's question.
From what he could see of her, she was wearing a grey string vest, with no bra. He quickly averted his gaze to stop his imagination from wondering.
"Sorry babe, we lost track of time," apologised Julia.
"Don't let me keep you," quipped Maria.
Her seemingly innocent smile and comment made him look at her twice, her tone on the surface sounded normal, playful, but underneath, there was something there...
Check yourself at the door son, he chided himself.
He needed to leave some of his paranoia where it belonged, in the non-human aspect of his life.
"Babe," came Julia's voice.
"Huh?" he asked to no one in particular.
Maria's raised eyebrow drew his attention away from the rest of her face and back to Julia.
"You ready?" she asked.
"Yeah," he answered. He couldn't look back at Maria, that would not be a good idea, so without so much as a second glance at her, he followed Julia back to his room.
"Have a good night! " Maria called sweetly before chuckling to herself.
Julia would have a good night, Zan's would be rather frustrating.
She sat basking in her genius for a few minutes before deciding to go to bed. Sleeping alone in her room after her nightmare, was out of the question. Max would be her sleep buddy for the night, she decided.
The only problem was, how to get him up: she could knock on his door but that was too loud and annoying. She could pick his lock but that was too, "hey, you might mistake me for a burglar in the haze of sleep". The only acceptable solution seemed to be a phone call.
With the problem solved, Maria headed to the living room, picked up the cordless, shifted through the directory for Max's number and called him.
****
"Hey, slow down there" Zan cautioned her. The instant the door closed, she had jumped him. Not that he minded but-
"You're right," she said disengaging from him.
"I am?".
He watched confused as she started getting dressed. "Are you going?".
"No," she answered fiddling playing with her jacket button," I'm just gonna go slow," she grinned wickedly.
Zan sat back on the bed to watch. He liked it when she got creative.
****
Max trudged to his door and let Maria in.
He had forgotten about her nightmares, mainly because they were now few and far between but he remembered a time when they were everynight, when he would hold her until she slept or if he wasn't there, he would talk her to sleep over the phone. Tonight's dream was less severe but had come out of the blue, so he knew that she was still pretty shaken up about it.
He waited for her to climb into his sheets before joining her. He wrapped his arms around her and she responded by snuggling deeper into his chest.
"Hi," he greeted her.
She snorted. He felt her smile. "Goodnight."
****
Julia worked him hot and cold. She worked him up till he felt like he was going to explode....and then she had up and left him.
"Wha-where are you going?" he had spluttered.
"I'll spend the rest of the night at a friends a few doors down," she had casually replied.
"Wh-why?!" he'd gasped trying to quell the sensations she had awakened in him.
"Maria, I like her. She wanted a little payback, something about you calling her blondie," she waved vaguely, "anyway, she convinced me to help out." She'd blown him a kiss, "peace."
Her abrupt exit had left Zan with no choice but to release the tension himself and to make things worse, images of Maria had flashed through his head while he was doing it.
The chick was going to pay.
Unfortunately when he reached her room, he was greeted by a Maria-less room. Her covers were thrown back, her window slightly open, but she was nowhere in sight.
She's probably with Max.
The result of that thought was a clenched jaw.
Instead of going back to bed, Zan found himself inspecting her room; looking at the pictures she had put up so far, the keepsakes and yes, he did check out her underwear drawer. The handcuffs he'd found had...opened his mind to the different versions of Maria...the handcuff version was obviously into a little kink.
This was bad, very, very bad.
He sat on her bed and picked up the photoframe on her bed-side table. It was of her, Max and her mother. Max had one like it on his bed-side table. Zan could help but felt a sudden sense of loss, theirs was a world he couldn't enter.
****
His room smelt different; it smelt of strawberries and something else...something soft. It reminded him of...
His eyes reluctantly opened.
Maria.
"Morning sunshine," she said dryly, "or should I say goodafternonn, it's almost noon."
She sat across from him at her desk.
Zan didn't move, while his memories were fragmented, his eyes drifted around the room.
How did I – oohh
"I found you in here this morning, you looked cute so I thought I'd let you sleep," she told him.
Max had left early to go to his pre-semester lab, she had slept in and when she had come back to her room, there he had been snuggled in her covers and sleeping peacefully. She had watched him sleep for some unknown period of time and then decided to hook up her laptop to the net while he slept. He was so like Max when he was asleep but when he was awake...that was a different ballgame.
He sat up under her amused watchful eyes.
"How was your night?" she asked innocently.
He narrowed his eyes at the memory. "That was low," he growled. "I came up here to exact some revenge but you weren't here, obviously for the whole night. Care to explain?".
"I couldn't sleep, Max helps me sleep," she answered.
That was the thing about Maria. She was intriguing. Just when he thought he had her more or less pegged, something would happen to make him look at her in a different way. Like her answer for instance, it would have been normal apart from the dark shadows of painful memories that flickered in her eyes. There was more to Maria Deluca than she would let them, apart from Max, see but he wanted to, he wanted to see all of her if by some miracle she would let him.
"Whatever works for you," he shrugged nonchalantly.
"Zan, let's just call a truce now because as you found out last night, I can hit you where it hurts."
It took him a few seconds to consider her point and speculate on how much damage she could do to his sex life if she hit it off with anymore girls he brought home.
"Truce it is," he agreed.
She crossed the room and started rifling through her drawers for clothes. "Good now, get out 'cause I gotta shower."
Maria in the shower...
"And the problem is..."he grinned slyly.
She pointed to the door without looking at him. "Out."
"I'm going," he said but somehow couldn't get himself to leave her comfortable bed. "How was dinner last night with my bro?" he asked.
He ignored the pang that came when he noticed the dreamy smile across her face. "It was good," was all the information she could give him.
"Oh and by the way, do you mind if I cook the dinner with Max tonight? Since I'm meeting all your friends, I wanna channel all my nervous energy towards something productive."
"That's cool wi me yo," he agreed.
She was nervous about meeting all Max's friends and family...why the hell couldn't they just come out and say that they were a couple?
"Thanks". By now she had pulled out a pair of jeans and a v-neck deep red top and was looking at him expectantly. "Zan."
"Yeah?".
"Still need you to get out."
"Going." Reluctantly he got out of her bed and out of her room but not before casting one more wistful glance at her the girl who had turned him into a bag of emotions.
****
Careful to close the door quietly behind her, Julia made her way to the kitchen in darkness. She knew her way around and didn't need-
Holy f***!
A gasp escaped her when she realised that another figure was in the kitchen.
"Don't freak," came the female voice.
Eyes accustomed to the darkness, she was momentarily blinded by the light. The soft overhead kitchen lights, were flicked on by a pretty blonde in short pajama shorts and a vest.
"I live here," the blonde added.
"Oh," was all she could manage.
They still remained standing where they were, she just instead the kitchen area and the blonde in the corner near the light switch.
"You kinda scared me there, I didn't think anyone was up," explained Maria.
She had been sitting in the soothing darkness with a cup of hot-chocolate when she had spotted the shadow walking towards the kitchen. It had taken her a few seconds to panic and then the calm she had began to posses a year ago kicked in and she was fine.
"I was trying to keep quiet," the girl quickly explained.
Both girls stared at each other and seeing the humour in the situation shared a smile.
Maria slid back onto her stool and sipped her hot chocolate. The girl, obviously more relaxed moved around the kitchen.
"So are you Max or Rath's girlfriend?" she asked.
"Neither," she laughed. "I'm Max's friend. I'm starting at NYU and I'm new the roomate. I'm Maria by the way," she greeted her.
Maria knew the emotions that flickered across her face.
"I'm Julia," she said, "Zan's girlfriend". The emphasis on the word girlfriend did not go unnoticed by Maria, she bit back a smile.
It was the standard check out the competition issue. It was a game she no longer played.
"I'm sure you make a happy couple," she quipped. "Relax, Zan's a hottie but no offense he's arrogant and not my type," she assured her.
Julia was taken aback by her bluntness and although she was reassured, she didn't want to seem like that cat-clawing type of girl.
"I wasn't suggesting that you'd be homewrecking," she quickly explained.
"Just in case it was a random thought," shrugged Maria, "you headed for the fridge?".
Julia took that as a sign that they were cool.
"Yeah, I'm famished."
She opened the fridge door, rifled through and came out with left-over chinese.
"That's the thing with sex,, it's great exercise but then it makes you uber hungry, which makes you eat more, so you couldn't lose weight doing it constantly could you?" asked Maria.
Julia closed her mouth before answering. The girl talked without breathing and she was freakingly astute.
"How did you kno-"
"You have sex hair," she pointed out.
"Oh...Oh!".
Sex hair, of course.
"Sorry, was that a bit too forward?" she asked.
"Yeah, but it's cool, you seem solid," Julia replied.
"Thanks, I think."
She sat on a stool opposite her. Maria seemed like an interesting to know.
"So what are you studying at NYU?" she asked.
"Journalism," Maria replied.
"That's tight, it fits you."
"Thanks, I'm not gonna ask why," she laughed. "How about you?".
"I'm not ready to do the higher education thing yet, so I work at my dad's accounting business by day and party by night."
Julia was not the girl she was expecting Zan to be with, but then again, he was that class of guy; devastatingly handsome, smart and a womaniser.
"And I'm guessing that's where you met Zan," she stated.
"Three weeks ago and it's a good ride," confirmed Julia.
A good ride? She mused. Well it looked like Julia was the same as Zan expect being female.
So no worries about hurt feelings.
"You two are perfect for each other," she smiled.
"How about you? Two fine boys in this house and you're not tempted, you already got one?".
Maria laughed. If she only knew.
"Nope and not wanting one right now. Now it's all me," she replied.
"That's cool yo."
The more they talked, the more Julia liked Maria. She was funny, opinionated and loud, it felt like she had known her for years. Which was why when she asked for a favour in order to repay Zan for a bit of "attitude," he had given her earlier that day, Julia was all too willing to do it. So they spent the rest of time plotting how.
****
Julia's absence had given Zan time to purge Maria out of his thoughts.
She was just a blonde that he was attracted to but with whom nothing would happen with because she belonged to his brother and had no interest in him whatsoever.
The only problem was, those things were what made her even more alluring.
Dammit!!
Frustrated with forbidden desire and seeking release, Zan went in search of Julia.
It was only when he had reached the point where he couldn't turn back unnoticed, when the full implications of hearing two candid female voices pierced through his fog-like thoughts.
That was the instant her eyes met his and suddenly, dressed only in his boxers, he felt very naked.
"Hey, come in search of your girl?" she asked amused.
At that comment, Julia turned around to face him with a smile that made him feel fleeting guilt which was overturned when he reminded himself why he liked her; she was gorgeous, funny, feisty in bed and smart. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek.
What more could a guy want?
"Uh huh," he replied to Maria's question.
From what he could see of her, she was wearing a grey string vest, with no bra. He quickly averted his gaze to stop his imagination from wondering.
"Sorry babe, we lost track of time," apologised Julia.
"Don't let me keep you," quipped Maria.
Her seemingly innocent smile and comment made him look at her twice, her tone on the surface sounded normal, playful, but underneath, there was something there...
Check yourself at the door son, he chided himself.
He needed to leave some of his paranoia where it belonged, in the non-human aspect of his life.
"Babe," came Julia's voice.
"Huh?" he asked to no one in particular.
Maria's raised eyebrow drew his attention away from the rest of her face and back to Julia.
"You ready?" she asked.
"Yeah," he answered. He couldn't look back at Maria, that would not be a good idea, so without so much as a second glance at her, he followed Julia back to his room.
"Have a good night! " Maria called sweetly before chuckling to herself.
Julia would have a good night, Zan's would be rather frustrating.
She sat basking in her genius for a few minutes before deciding to go to bed. Sleeping alone in her room after her nightmare, was out of the question. Max would be her sleep buddy for the night, she decided.
The only problem was, how to get him up: she could knock on his door but that was too loud and annoying. She could pick his lock but that was too, "hey, you might mistake me for a burglar in the haze of sleep". The only acceptable solution seemed to be a phone call.
With the problem solved, Maria headed to the living room, picked up the cordless, shifted through the directory for Max's number and called him.
****
"Hey, slow down there" Zan cautioned her. The instant the door closed, she had jumped him. Not that he minded but-
"You're right," she said disengaging from him.
"I am?".
He watched confused as she started getting dressed. "Are you going?".
"No," she answered fiddling playing with her jacket button," I'm just gonna go slow," she grinned wickedly.
Zan sat back on the bed to watch. He liked it when she got creative.
****
Max trudged to his door and let Maria in.
He had forgotten about her nightmares, mainly because they were now few and far between but he remembered a time when they were everynight, when he would hold her until she slept or if he wasn't there, he would talk her to sleep over the phone. Tonight's dream was less severe but had come out of the blue, so he knew that she was still pretty shaken up about it.
He waited for her to climb into his sheets before joining her. He wrapped his arms around her and she responded by snuggling deeper into his chest.
"Hi," he greeted her.
She snorted. He felt her smile. "Goodnight."
****
Julia worked him hot and cold. She worked him up till he felt like he was going to explode....and then she had up and left him.
"Wha-where are you going?" he had spluttered.
"I'll spend the rest of the night at a friends a few doors down," she had casually replied.
"Wh-why?!" he'd gasped trying to quell the sensations she had awakened in him.
"Maria, I like her. She wanted a little payback, something about you calling her blondie," she waved vaguely, "anyway, she convinced me to help out." She'd blown him a kiss, "peace."
Her abrupt exit had left Zan with no choice but to release the tension himself and to make things worse, images of Maria had flashed through his head while he was doing it.
The chick was going to pay.
Unfortunately when he reached her room, he was greeted by a Maria-less room. Her covers were thrown back, her window slightly open, but she was nowhere in sight.
She's probably with Max.
The result of that thought was a clenched jaw.
Instead of going back to bed, Zan found himself inspecting her room; looking at the pictures she had put up so far, the keepsakes and yes, he did check out her underwear drawer. The handcuffs he'd found had...opened his mind to the different versions of Maria...the handcuff version was obviously into a little kink.
This was bad, very, very bad.
He sat on her bed and picked up the photoframe on her bed-side table. It was of her, Max and her mother. Max had one like it on his bed-side table. Zan could help but felt a sudden sense of loss, theirs was a world he couldn't enter.
****
His room smelt different; it smelt of strawberries and something else...something soft. It reminded him of...
His eyes reluctantly opened.
Maria.
"Morning sunshine," she said dryly, "or should I say goodafternonn, it's almost noon."
She sat across from him at her desk.
Zan didn't move, while his memories were fragmented, his eyes drifted around the room.
How did I – oohh
"I found you in here this morning, you looked cute so I thought I'd let you sleep," she told him.
Max had left early to go to his pre-semester lab, she had slept in and when she had come back to her room, there he had been snuggled in her covers and sleeping peacefully. She had watched him sleep for some unknown period of time and then decided to hook up her laptop to the net while he slept. He was so like Max when he was asleep but when he was awake...that was a different ballgame.
He sat up under her amused watchful eyes.
"How was your night?" she asked innocently.
He narrowed his eyes at the memory. "That was low," he growled. "I came up here to exact some revenge but you weren't here, obviously for the whole night. Care to explain?".
"I couldn't sleep, Max helps me sleep," she answered.
That was the thing about Maria. She was intriguing. Just when he thought he had her more or less pegged, something would happen to make him look at her in a different way. Like her answer for instance, it would have been normal apart from the dark shadows of painful memories that flickered in her eyes. There was more to Maria Deluca than she would let them, apart from Max, see but he wanted to, he wanted to see all of her if by some miracle she would let him.
"Whatever works for you," he shrugged nonchalantly.
"Zan, let's just call a truce now because as you found out last night, I can hit you where it hurts."
It took him a few seconds to consider her point and speculate on how much damage she could do to his sex life if she hit it off with anymore girls he brought home.
"Truce it is," he agreed.
She crossed the room and started rifling through her drawers for clothes. "Good now, get out 'cause I gotta shower."
Maria in the shower...
"And the problem is..."he grinned slyly.
She pointed to the door without looking at him. "Out."
"I'm going," he said but somehow couldn't get himself to leave her comfortable bed. "How was dinner last night with my bro?" he asked.
He ignored the pang that came when he noticed the dreamy smile across her face. "It was good," was all the information she could give him.
"Oh and by the way, do you mind if I cook the dinner with Max tonight? Since I'm meeting all your friends, I wanna channel all my nervous energy towards something productive."
"That's cool wi me yo," he agreed.
She was nervous about meeting all Max's friends and family...why the hell couldn't they just come out and say that they were a couple?
"Thanks". By now she had pulled out a pair of jeans and a v-neck deep red top and was looking at him expectantly. "Zan."
"Yeah?".
"Still need you to get out."
"Going." Reluctantly he got out of her bed and out of her room but not before casting one more wistful glance at her the girl who had turned him into a bag of emotions.
****
-
willowbv
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AN: Hey guys, thanks for the feedback and the next part is up.
Maria and the baby and more of what happened with her and Max over the four years they've known each other will be revealed later.
The next part is more of getting all the characters into play, so for now, it's time for Maria to meet Max's friends...
P.S. The song Maria sings is As Time Goes By - Frank Sinatra version
Previously
"Oh and by the way, do you mind if I cook the dinner with Max tonight? Since I'm meeting all your friends, I wanna channel all my nervous energy towards something productive."
"That's cool wi me yo," he agreed.
She was nervous about meeting all Max's friends and family...why the hell couldn't they just come out and say that they were a couple?
"Thanks". By now she had pulled out a pair of jeans and a v-neck deep red top and was looking at him expectantly. "Zan."
"Yeah?".
"Still need you to get out."
"Going."
Reluctantly he got out of her bed and out of her room but not before casting one more wistful glance at her the girl who had turned him into a bag of emotions.
****
Part 6
Zan sat in the kitchen and watched the organized chaos around him with begrudged amusement. Max and Maria made an excellent team. He had gone out for the day and arrived back home to find music blaring and the kitchen in a flurry of activity.
He had spent time in his room convincing himself that she was off-limits and that she wasn't interested in him, which he had to admit was the bottom line. She didn't want him, she saw right through his game and wanted none of it. After drowning in momentary depression, he then sullenly spent the rest of the day hanging with Rath.
That was until wafts of delicious scents drew their attention to their bodies' cries for food. Unfortunately, the food had been in the process of being cooked. Maria then banned junk food and forced them to have fruits to tide them over till the meal.
Him and Rath had been well behaved until some of the food was ready. Then Rath, who had been caught red-handed stuffing some of it down his mouth had been banished from the kitchen and so would he if he got caught. He gazed longingly at the chocolate cake Maria was frosting – it was tabasco flavored and everything. She would definitely be a handy one to have around.
In watching the two of them work, Zan realized how close they were, how much they had obviously shared out of bed. They worked in synchronicity with each other; anticipating each other's words and movements, with that level of intimacy, Zan could see why his brother trusted her with his life. He hoped that that trust, would never have to be put to the test.
"Yo 'Ria, doorbell's ringing!" yelled Rath.
Maria froze, her eyes wide as saucers. Zan smiled, she was adorable.
She had ordered them all not to answer the doorbell, she wanted to do it. Her excitement and apprehension over meeting their friends all brought smiles to the guys' faces.
"It'll be fine, they'll love you," Max assured her.
A quick hug later and she was headed for the door.
Zan quirked an eyebrow at his brother. "All that's left is for her to swing the door open and say," he adopted a feminine sophisticated voice, "welcome to our home".
"Shut up," Max retorted biting back a smile.
****
The group dinners were a weekly gathering, a time when the human, alien, sibling, friends and couples combination that comprised of the group came together and enjoyed a night with each other. They all had keys the apartment, but on a dinner night, they rang the doorbell. Usually they arrived after the time announced but this time, they arrived at 7pm on the dot, eagerly awaiting to meet the much talked about Maria Deluca.
"At least we know she's human," quipped Kyle as the door opened.
****
When Maria swung open the door, she couldn't hide the surprise from her face. She had expected to meet Max's friends in intervals not all together standing in the hallway and assessing her every movement.
I bet I look fetching.
It was an absurd thought because the dress code was casual – which was was and she had been cooking, but these were people who mattered to Max, she wanted to make a good impression.
"Hi, I'm Maria," she introduced herself as they filtered in. "You must be, Isabel, Kyle, Alex, Ava, Courtney, Michael, Vilandra and Tess."
"You know all our names?" asked Kyle surprised.
"I've known Max for four years," she laughed softly, "I've seen all the pictures. We're nearly done with dinner, so I guess chill in the meantime."
"I'll come with," offered Isabel.
From the pictures, Maria had known that she was beautiful. She was even more so in real life. The whole ice-princess act Max talked about was in action but Maria was more than prepared. She had faced more intimidating people than Isabel Evans and had survived.
"Me too," said Tess.
Tess was another story. She was beautiful, all of them were, but on a basis of first impressions, Maria's reaction to her was to take a step back. There was something about Tess that didn't quite seem to fit, but it was just a first impression. Tess was part of Max's inner circle for a reason.
"You're cooking?" asked Isabel as they made their way to the kitchen.
"Thought I'd give Zan a break," she replied.
"If you do that every night, he will love you," quipped Tess.
****
"Zan, I swear you touch that cake and I'll rip out your throat!". The terse voice transformed into polite sugar sweetness. "The casserole is over there by the juicer."
Taken aback by the quick change in Maria's behavior, Ava nodded and cautiously made her way to the casserole.
Everything had been normal, she had come into the kitchen to help carry stuff back to the living room and her and Maria had been talking. Maria had had her back to Zan while Ava had been in full view of him trying to cut a piece of some cake. Without even looking, Maria had guessed what he was doing and had shut him down. Ava was impressed, in a day Maria had a handle on Zan and Rath – she would definitely be good to have around.
"That's a little violent don't you think?" suggested Isabel.
"Well, I started off polite enough but then as the day wore on and he," Maria looked pointedly at Zan," got more annoying, I had to get more descriptive."
Isabel smiled amused as Zan narrowed his eyes at his chastiser. She had to give it to Maria, she handled herself in the kitchen well. The food looked amazing and the fluidity at which her and Max worked together was astounding. She had ended up joining Zan and watching the pair until she was called up to help take the food into the dinning room which with a group their size was always the floor where they set up cushions for each of them to sit on and laid the food out in the middle.
****
Maria was in the living room when the door bell rang. Knowing that there was only one person left to come and it was the one person she was most excited to meet, she rushed to answer the door.
****
"Hey, Liz and Lauren are here. I thought you broke it off with her two weeks ago." Rath causally strolled into the kitchen with news that threw Max's world into disarray.
"I did- I was going to but then I got busy with arrangements – she's in there with Maria?"
"Yep."
"Oh no!".
Lauren was a girl he had met a two months ago, they had seen each other a few times. They were nothing serious but went out if either of them needed company. He had brought her to a few dinners, so she knew the routine but they were nothing serious, just used each other for convenience. He knew that he needed to break it off with her but somehow he had never got around to it. Breaking up with Lauren wasn't important to Max at that moment, what was important was that Maria didn't know about her and that she would definitely disapprove.
"What?" Rath asked puzzled as to why Max rushed out of the kitchen as if someone's life was at stake.
****
"I'm Max's girlfriend."
The blonde standing in front of her told her.
She had opened the door to find Liz standing uncomfortably next to some pretty, to put it simply, evil blonde. They had entered the apartment, made their way to the living room where Maria had greeted Liz normally but had found it a little difficult when it came to Lauren, the girl currently raising a challenging eyebrow at her.
"I'm sorry, I thought you said you were Max's girlfriend," she said.
"I am."
Maria smiled at her puzzled. There was no way that she could be Max's girlfriend. Max had never spoken about her and she blatantly wasn't his type. Yet here she was, standing before her as Max's girlfriend and the others weren't objecting. They weren't standing up for her either which led Maria to believe that they shared her opinion that Max could do better.
"No you're not."
She sensed his presence when he entered the room and whipped around to face him. His expression told her all she needed to know. "No f***ing way!" she shouted at him.
"I-". He held his hands in front of him as he advanced towards them trying to calm her down.
Maria felt Lauren's foreign cold grip on her arm wrench her attention away from Max and back to her.
"First of all, " the blonde blazed, "I don't know who you think you are looking at me like that and secondly, what the hell does it matter to you that Max is my boyfriend?".
The gang looked at Max for a reaction. He stood frozen to the spot and watched the two girls fearfully. Who he was afraid for would be anyone's guess until Maria responded to Lauren.
A silent unanimous agreement was passed amongst the group; If Max was staying out of this, so were they. Instead, they watched with interest as Maria glanced down at her arm where Lauren's grip was still firm until Lauren let her go. She then slowly looked up at Lauren with a bemused smile that said it all.
"I think it's about to kick off," commented Rath gleefully. After seeing her in action in that alley, his money was on Maria. The girl was radiating fury.
"I'll tell you why it matters to me," she told Lauren, "better yet, I'll show you."
Eyes watched curiously as Maria made her way over to Max.
"Hi," she greeted him.
"Hi," he responded with uncertainty.
Jaws dropped at what happened next.
Maria wrapped her arm around Max's neck and kissed him. It took Max a second to respond wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. Zan was about to tell them to get a room when Maria broke it off and turned to face a thundering Lauren with a raised brow.
"You and Max aren't together otherwise," she shrugged casually, "that PDA would not have happened. You're not for him."
Without looking away from the trio, Liz asked her question quietly. "Did she just say that?".
"Uh huh", nodded Ava dumbly.
They all thought it. They had told Max their opinions about Lauren but not even Isabel had told it to her face. Maria stood there and told her as if it was the easiest thing in the world to say. Ava was more than impressed.
"And you are?!" shouted Lauren.
"Are you kidding?" Maria asked incredulously. " Me? No way. But I'm his relationship adviser."
Zan had no idea what the hell was going on, but it was interesting. Maria had openly admitted that she wasn't with Max, that they weren't a couple.
She was his relationship adviser.
What the heck was that? And when did it include sleeping with each other?
"Max?". Lauren implored him to be on her side, to defend her but all she got was an expression of apology.
"I'm sorry," he replied earnestly.
Lauren made her way over to him and before anyone could guess what she would do or say, a crack sounded in the room.
"That had to hurt," whistled Kyle as Lauren stormed out of the apartment leaving a red cheeked Max.
****
The instant the door closed, Max was moved into action as Maria turned on him. "I was gonna break up with her weeks ago, I forgot," he explained sheepishly.
Maria struggled to form words that would properly convey her incredulity at his statement and her anger.
"You should never have been with her in the first place!", she shouted.
"I know but she was-"
"Easy, less complicated?" she offered advancing on him. She knew that the others were watching but she didn't care, her opinion that what Max had done was out of order overrode her other concerns. "I thought we talked about this Max."
"I screwed up, I'm sorry," he held up his hands in surrender.
"You're damn right you did," she agreed. "Granted she was vapid and calculating, she at least deserved to be told that she'd been dumped - that was cold and then I had to do a quick clean up of your mess."
He raised his eyebrow at her.
"all right," she conceded. "I could have been better about it, but she did ask for my wicked mean side when she gave me attitude."
"What can you do?" he shrugged smiling.
Maria playfully pinched his arm with a smirk. "You're so lucky I'm here. I just saved you wasting your time and money on some no hope relationship. Can I hear a thank you?"
Their foreheads met and he stared into her brilliant dancing emerald eyes. His voice was filled with laughter. "Thank you Maria".
"You're welcome. Anyone else I need to know about?" she asked.
"No."
"Great then let's eat."
Max reluctantly let her create distance between them as they turned to find the others staring at them. They had never seen Max the way he was with Maria. She had power of him that was very amusing to watch exercised.
"What?" he asked. His tone was innocent and defensive at the same time.
"Nothing, let's eat," said Isabel finally.
****
Maria and the baby and more of what happened with her and Max over the four years they've known each other will be revealed later.
The next part is more of getting all the characters into play, so for now, it's time for Maria to meet Max's friends...
P.S. The song Maria sings is As Time Goes By - Frank Sinatra version
Previously
"Oh and by the way, do you mind if I cook the dinner with Max tonight? Since I'm meeting all your friends, I wanna channel all my nervous energy towards something productive."
"That's cool wi me yo," he agreed.
She was nervous about meeting all Max's friends and family...why the hell couldn't they just come out and say that they were a couple?
"Thanks". By now she had pulled out a pair of jeans and a v-neck deep red top and was looking at him expectantly. "Zan."
"Yeah?".
"Still need you to get out."
"Going."
Reluctantly he got out of her bed and out of her room but not before casting one more wistful glance at her the girl who had turned him into a bag of emotions.
****
Part 6
Zan sat in the kitchen and watched the organized chaos around him with begrudged amusement. Max and Maria made an excellent team. He had gone out for the day and arrived back home to find music blaring and the kitchen in a flurry of activity.
He had spent time in his room convincing himself that she was off-limits and that she wasn't interested in him, which he had to admit was the bottom line. She didn't want him, she saw right through his game and wanted none of it. After drowning in momentary depression, he then sullenly spent the rest of the day hanging with Rath.
That was until wafts of delicious scents drew their attention to their bodies' cries for food. Unfortunately, the food had been in the process of being cooked. Maria then banned junk food and forced them to have fruits to tide them over till the meal.
Him and Rath had been well behaved until some of the food was ready. Then Rath, who had been caught red-handed stuffing some of it down his mouth had been banished from the kitchen and so would he if he got caught. He gazed longingly at the chocolate cake Maria was frosting – it was tabasco flavored and everything. She would definitely be a handy one to have around.
In watching the two of them work, Zan realized how close they were, how much they had obviously shared out of bed. They worked in synchronicity with each other; anticipating each other's words and movements, with that level of intimacy, Zan could see why his brother trusted her with his life. He hoped that that trust, would never have to be put to the test.
"Yo 'Ria, doorbell's ringing!" yelled Rath.
Maria froze, her eyes wide as saucers. Zan smiled, she was adorable.
She had ordered them all not to answer the doorbell, she wanted to do it. Her excitement and apprehension over meeting their friends all brought smiles to the guys' faces.
"It'll be fine, they'll love you," Max assured her.
A quick hug later and she was headed for the door.
Zan quirked an eyebrow at his brother. "All that's left is for her to swing the door open and say," he adopted a feminine sophisticated voice, "welcome to our home".
"Shut up," Max retorted biting back a smile.
****
The group dinners were a weekly gathering, a time when the human, alien, sibling, friends and couples combination that comprised of the group came together and enjoyed a night with each other. They all had keys the apartment, but on a dinner night, they rang the doorbell. Usually they arrived after the time announced but this time, they arrived at 7pm on the dot, eagerly awaiting to meet the much talked about Maria Deluca.
"At least we know she's human," quipped Kyle as the door opened.
****
When Maria swung open the door, she couldn't hide the surprise from her face. She had expected to meet Max's friends in intervals not all together standing in the hallway and assessing her every movement.
I bet I look fetching.
It was an absurd thought because the dress code was casual – which was was and she had been cooking, but these were people who mattered to Max, she wanted to make a good impression.
"Hi, I'm Maria," she introduced herself as they filtered in. "You must be, Isabel, Kyle, Alex, Ava, Courtney, Michael, Vilandra and Tess."
"You know all our names?" asked Kyle surprised.
"I've known Max for four years," she laughed softly, "I've seen all the pictures. We're nearly done with dinner, so I guess chill in the meantime."
"I'll come with," offered Isabel.
From the pictures, Maria had known that she was beautiful. She was even more so in real life. The whole ice-princess act Max talked about was in action but Maria was more than prepared. She had faced more intimidating people than Isabel Evans and had survived.
"Me too," said Tess.
Tess was another story. She was beautiful, all of them were, but on a basis of first impressions, Maria's reaction to her was to take a step back. There was something about Tess that didn't quite seem to fit, but it was just a first impression. Tess was part of Max's inner circle for a reason.
"You're cooking?" asked Isabel as they made their way to the kitchen.
"Thought I'd give Zan a break," she replied.
"If you do that every night, he will love you," quipped Tess.
****
"Zan, I swear you touch that cake and I'll rip out your throat!". The terse voice transformed into polite sugar sweetness. "The casserole is over there by the juicer."
Taken aback by the quick change in Maria's behavior, Ava nodded and cautiously made her way to the casserole.
Everything had been normal, she had come into the kitchen to help carry stuff back to the living room and her and Maria had been talking. Maria had had her back to Zan while Ava had been in full view of him trying to cut a piece of some cake. Without even looking, Maria had guessed what he was doing and had shut him down. Ava was impressed, in a day Maria had a handle on Zan and Rath – she would definitely be good to have around.
"That's a little violent don't you think?" suggested Isabel.
"Well, I started off polite enough but then as the day wore on and he," Maria looked pointedly at Zan," got more annoying, I had to get more descriptive."
Isabel smiled amused as Zan narrowed his eyes at his chastiser. She had to give it to Maria, she handled herself in the kitchen well. The food looked amazing and the fluidity at which her and Max worked together was astounding. She had ended up joining Zan and watching the pair until she was called up to help take the food into the dinning room which with a group their size was always the floor where they set up cushions for each of them to sit on and laid the food out in the middle.
****
Maria was in the living room when the door bell rang. Knowing that there was only one person left to come and it was the one person she was most excited to meet, she rushed to answer the door.
****
"Hey, Liz and Lauren are here. I thought you broke it off with her two weeks ago." Rath causally strolled into the kitchen with news that threw Max's world into disarray.
"I did- I was going to but then I got busy with arrangements – she's in there with Maria?"
"Yep."
"Oh no!".
Lauren was a girl he had met a two months ago, they had seen each other a few times. They were nothing serious but went out if either of them needed company. He had brought her to a few dinners, so she knew the routine but they were nothing serious, just used each other for convenience. He knew that he needed to break it off with her but somehow he had never got around to it. Breaking up with Lauren wasn't important to Max at that moment, what was important was that Maria didn't know about her and that she would definitely disapprove.
"What?" Rath asked puzzled as to why Max rushed out of the kitchen as if someone's life was at stake.
****
"I'm Max's girlfriend."
The blonde standing in front of her told her.
She had opened the door to find Liz standing uncomfortably next to some pretty, to put it simply, evil blonde. They had entered the apartment, made their way to the living room where Maria had greeted Liz normally but had found it a little difficult when it came to Lauren, the girl currently raising a challenging eyebrow at her.
"I'm sorry, I thought you said you were Max's girlfriend," she said.
"I am."
Maria smiled at her puzzled. There was no way that she could be Max's girlfriend. Max had never spoken about her and she blatantly wasn't his type. Yet here she was, standing before her as Max's girlfriend and the others weren't objecting. They weren't standing up for her either which led Maria to believe that they shared her opinion that Max could do better.
"No you're not."
She sensed his presence when he entered the room and whipped around to face him. His expression told her all she needed to know. "No f***ing way!" she shouted at him.
"I-". He held his hands in front of him as he advanced towards them trying to calm her down.
Maria felt Lauren's foreign cold grip on her arm wrench her attention away from Max and back to her.
"First of all, " the blonde blazed, "I don't know who you think you are looking at me like that and secondly, what the hell does it matter to you that Max is my boyfriend?".
The gang looked at Max for a reaction. He stood frozen to the spot and watched the two girls fearfully. Who he was afraid for would be anyone's guess until Maria responded to Lauren.
A silent unanimous agreement was passed amongst the group; If Max was staying out of this, so were they. Instead, they watched with interest as Maria glanced down at her arm where Lauren's grip was still firm until Lauren let her go. She then slowly looked up at Lauren with a bemused smile that said it all.
"I think it's about to kick off," commented Rath gleefully. After seeing her in action in that alley, his money was on Maria. The girl was radiating fury.
"I'll tell you why it matters to me," she told Lauren, "better yet, I'll show you."
Eyes watched curiously as Maria made her way over to Max.
"Hi," she greeted him.
"Hi," he responded with uncertainty.
Jaws dropped at what happened next.
Maria wrapped her arm around Max's neck and kissed him. It took Max a second to respond wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. Zan was about to tell them to get a room when Maria broke it off and turned to face a thundering Lauren with a raised brow.
"You and Max aren't together otherwise," she shrugged casually, "that PDA would not have happened. You're not for him."
Without looking away from the trio, Liz asked her question quietly. "Did she just say that?".
"Uh huh", nodded Ava dumbly.
They all thought it. They had told Max their opinions about Lauren but not even Isabel had told it to her face. Maria stood there and told her as if it was the easiest thing in the world to say. Ava was more than impressed.
"And you are?!" shouted Lauren.
"Are you kidding?" Maria asked incredulously. " Me? No way. But I'm his relationship adviser."
Zan had no idea what the hell was going on, but it was interesting. Maria had openly admitted that she wasn't with Max, that they weren't a couple.
She was his relationship adviser.
What the heck was that? And when did it include sleeping with each other?
"Max?". Lauren implored him to be on her side, to defend her but all she got was an expression of apology.
"I'm sorry," he replied earnestly.
Lauren made her way over to him and before anyone could guess what she would do or say, a crack sounded in the room.
"That had to hurt," whistled Kyle as Lauren stormed out of the apartment leaving a red cheeked Max.
****
The instant the door closed, Max was moved into action as Maria turned on him. "I was gonna break up with her weeks ago, I forgot," he explained sheepishly.
Maria struggled to form words that would properly convey her incredulity at his statement and her anger.
"You should never have been with her in the first place!", she shouted.
"I know but she was-"
"Easy, less complicated?" she offered advancing on him. She knew that the others were watching but she didn't care, her opinion that what Max had done was out of order overrode her other concerns. "I thought we talked about this Max."
"I screwed up, I'm sorry," he held up his hands in surrender.
"You're damn right you did," she agreed. "Granted she was vapid and calculating, she at least deserved to be told that she'd been dumped - that was cold and then I had to do a quick clean up of your mess."
He raised his eyebrow at her.
"all right," she conceded. "I could have been better about it, but she did ask for my wicked mean side when she gave me attitude."
"What can you do?" he shrugged smiling.
Maria playfully pinched his arm with a smirk. "You're so lucky I'm here. I just saved you wasting your time and money on some no hope relationship. Can I hear a thank you?"
Their foreheads met and he stared into her brilliant dancing emerald eyes. His voice was filled with laughter. "Thank you Maria".
"You're welcome. Anyone else I need to know about?" she asked.
"No."
"Great then let's eat."
Max reluctantly let her create distance between them as they turned to find the others staring at them. They had never seen Max the way he was with Maria. She had power of him that was very amusing to watch exercised.
"What?" he asked. His tone was innocent and defensive at the same time.
"Nothing, let's eat," said Isabel finally.
****
Last edited by willowbv on Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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willowbv
- Addicted Roswellian
- Posts: 321
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****
Dinner came with a mutual appraisal of each other.
The meal was fabulous if she did say so herself. Conversation had initially been a little awkward after her and Max's public discussion but then Liz had started off the get-to know-Maria part of evening conversation and she had spent the night fielding questions from everyone about: where she came from, what she liked, she relationship with Max which she knew they were all curious about.
"So you're not together?" asked Liz.
Maria smiled at the delightful hopeful tone the brunette tried to hide. She noted it and put it in the back of her mind for later.
"But you sleep together," quipped Zan. The comment had been intended for him only but his voice had traveled. With dread he met Maria's withering gaze.
"Not that it's table conversation or any of your business especially if you don't knock, but Max and I are close friends. I'm also his matchmaker."
The fact that she had said all that in one breath surprised everyone apart from Max who flashed her a fond smile.
"You're gonna find Max a girlfriend?" asked Ava.
"I'm going to find Max his soul-mate. A year in Paris and I'm a love connecting pro," she answered.
It was on a long list of bizarre things that kept happening to her. She sometimes had feelings about people, impressions of them, as if she knew who they were and what they were feeling. She had matched up four of her friends in Paris and they were all successful. It was the same with the man in the alley who had tried to attack her. One look into his eyes and she had known that he wouldn't hurt her. It was bizarre but she wasn't going to turn down a good gift.
"In that case, add them all to your list," said Zan.
"Hey, I'm doing fine on my own," objected Isabel.
"Right, like that reject Bryce," quipped Rath.
"Brian," she corrected him.
"Whatever," he shrugged.
Maria smiled at their interaction. They were an interesting group, she had no idea what they though of her but she couldn't really do anything about that.
****
Liz was glad that it was Rath, Courtney and Ava's turn to do the dishes – not that it would take them long anyway. It gave her a chance to get to know Maria. She interested Liz not only because she was curious to find out more about the girl Max had defended to them time and time again but also because, Maria was charismatic and sparkled with a vibrant light that no doubt could be exhausting. She could see why Max was drawn to her. One first impressions, Liz liked her – which made her subtle but frequent touches with Max all the more painful.
Maria was at on Max's lap telling them about their adventures at music camp. The others were captivated not only by the story but about the way they finished each other's sentences as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
When the doorbell rang and no one moved to answer, Liz sighed and made her way over to open it.
"Liz!".
"Summer!". Her friend stood in the hallway way with tears in her eyes and a crying baby in her arms. Liz stepped aside to let her in.
"I'm so sorry to barge in on you like this, but Dan and I just had a fight and Robin won't stop crying."
Liz hugged her. "Shh, it's okay."
She had known Summer for years, she had been with her when she met her boyfriend Dan. They made a good couple but argued a lot. Liz knew they loved each other but there was something separating them. It had been going on for months and she had no idea what it was.
****
Maria stopped midway through her words when she saw the tearstained girl and crying baby by Liz's side.
It was like a kick in the stomach.
Can I not get a break?
Max who felt her tense gave her a comforting hug. "You okay?".
She nodded.
Their exchange did not go unnoticed by Liz. There was obviously something about the situation that unsettled Maria. Max had always been there for her, flew to Roswell or wherever to meet her, he sometimes went for weeks on end. He never gave any of them full details as to why. What they shared ran deep.
"Guys you know Summer," she introduced her. "Summer that's Maria, Max's friend."
After the introductions, Liz and Summer disappeared into Max's room leaving Robin with Ava.
****
"She doesn't need changing, she just cranky,"Ava explained.
Robin had been crying non-stop. They had all attempted to make her stop crying but had failed.
"She's been crying for a long time, someone please," begged Isabel.
"We've all tried – she just wants to cry," said Alex.
"Maria hasn't" supplied Rath.
Maria froze at his statement.
After her nightmare? she wasn't ready.
"I'm not- won't Summer mind?" she asked lamely.
"If you can get her to shut up, she'll thank you," replied Isabel.
Maria glanced wearily at the crying, fidgeting Robin currently in Max's arms. She wasn't going to let her past control her future to this extent.
"Um okay." Tentatively, she took Robin in her arms. She was so tiny, loud, but sweet. "Sssh," she whispered rocking her slowly as she walked around the room. Within a few minutes, to everyone's relief, the cries died down.
Robin yawned. "She's so cute," observed Maria.
Max came up beside her. "Yes she is."
"She's probably tired from all that crying, aren't you?" she asked playfully touching her nose.
Robin yawned in reply.
"It's still the same old story, the quest for love and glory, the chance of do or die," she began singing the Frank Sinatra song from her favourite move, Casablanca.
"A kiss is just a kiss..." joined Max.
By the second verse, everyone was singing, by the end of the song, Robin was asleep.
Maria lay her down on the couch and sat down on the carpet next to her.
"I didn't think I'd be doing this tonight," she said.
"Which bit, breaking into song?" asked Rath.
She nodded, "amongst other things."
"Welcome to our world," muttered Zan with a half smile.
Talk went on in low voices, if needed, conversation moved into the kitchen but there was always someone to look after Robin.
****
When Liz finally came out, it was to find Maria, Max, Isabel, Alex and Zan framed like a family all sat on the carpet next to the couch where Robin lay.
"She asleep?" asked a Summer.
"Yeah," whispered Maria.
"I'll drive you home," Liz offered. After finally calming her down, she had managed to get Summer to go back to Dan. In every fight, she always threatened to take away Robin from him, which wasn't the best way to maintain a good relationship with your boyfriend.
When Summer picked up Robin, she stirred and cried.
"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered. "Be quiet for mummy," she told her baby girl.
Liz watched curious as Maria sighed, got up and touched the tip of Robin's nose. "Be a good girl".
Robin quietened down immediately.
"How did you do that?" asked Summer in awe.
Robin was a crier, she always cried even when nothing was wrong. Max's friend had managed to do what no nanny she had employed so far had managed to do. Silence Robin with a few words.
"I'm a new face," she shrugged non-chalantly.
"Can you baby-sit?" asked Summer.
"Uh- I" stammered Maria. She had just met the girl and she was asking her to baby-sit?!
"You don't even know me," she finally managed.
"You're living with Max. That's an excellent character reference. Please? I'll pay you and everything" begged Summer.
Maria looked to Max for advice and he shrugged hiding back a smile at her discomfort.
She did need a job and of course money. And Robin did seem to respond to her and maybe while she was at it, she could help out Summer and her boyfriend. The prospect of putting her newly acquired skills to practice brought a smile to her face.
"Um, sure," she agreed.
****
"That went well" commented Maria. The others had left, Rath had gone to bed which left her, Max,and Zan sprawled on the living-room sofas.
"It did," agreed Max.
A yawn reminded her of the beauty of sleep. "I'm gonna hit bed," she said getting up. "Night, guys."
"Night," they chorused.
Max waited until she was in her room before asking. "So?".
"So what?" asked Zan innocently. He was rewarded with a pointed glare from his brother.
"What do you think?" asked Max.
"Like what I think matters", he replied. Max had ignored everything he had lectured him about concerning his growing relationship with Maria over the years. Of course now finally meeting her, he could safely say he had been wrong, but he wanted to make Max squirm a little.
"Zan."
"She's a'ight," he feigned a begrudged acceptance.
"She's more than that."
Don't I know it, it agreed wholeheartedly.
She possessed an innocence and a life shaped by experience all at once. Her smile, laughter and energy was contagious but as he had watched her throughout the evening especially through her interaction with Robin, Zan had noticed that behind her eyes lay a haunted past that he only caught glimpses of. A past that Max had full access to.
Maria was definitely more the "a'ight", she made him want to let his guard down immediately and tell her everything about himself. He had never met anyone like that before.
Too bad Max had met her first.
****
Dinner came with a mutual appraisal of each other.
The meal was fabulous if she did say so herself. Conversation had initially been a little awkward after her and Max's public discussion but then Liz had started off the get-to know-Maria part of evening conversation and she had spent the night fielding questions from everyone about: where she came from, what she liked, she relationship with Max which she knew they were all curious about.
"So you're not together?" asked Liz.
Maria smiled at the delightful hopeful tone the brunette tried to hide. She noted it and put it in the back of her mind for later.
"But you sleep together," quipped Zan. The comment had been intended for him only but his voice had traveled. With dread he met Maria's withering gaze.
"Not that it's table conversation or any of your business especially if you don't knock, but Max and I are close friends. I'm also his matchmaker."
The fact that she had said all that in one breath surprised everyone apart from Max who flashed her a fond smile.
"You're gonna find Max a girlfriend?" asked Ava.
"I'm going to find Max his soul-mate. A year in Paris and I'm a love connecting pro," she answered.
It was on a long list of bizarre things that kept happening to her. She sometimes had feelings about people, impressions of them, as if she knew who they were and what they were feeling. She had matched up four of her friends in Paris and they were all successful. It was the same with the man in the alley who had tried to attack her. One look into his eyes and she had known that he wouldn't hurt her. It was bizarre but she wasn't going to turn down a good gift.
"In that case, add them all to your list," said Zan.
"Hey, I'm doing fine on my own," objected Isabel.
"Right, like that reject Bryce," quipped Rath.
"Brian," she corrected him.
"Whatever," he shrugged.
Maria smiled at their interaction. They were an interesting group, she had no idea what they though of her but she couldn't really do anything about that.
****
Liz was glad that it was Rath, Courtney and Ava's turn to do the dishes – not that it would take them long anyway. It gave her a chance to get to know Maria. She interested Liz not only because she was curious to find out more about the girl Max had defended to them time and time again but also because, Maria was charismatic and sparkled with a vibrant light that no doubt could be exhausting. She could see why Max was drawn to her. One first impressions, Liz liked her – which made her subtle but frequent touches with Max all the more painful.
Maria was at on Max's lap telling them about their adventures at music camp. The others were captivated not only by the story but about the way they finished each other's sentences as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
When the doorbell rang and no one moved to answer, Liz sighed and made her way over to open it.
"Liz!".
"Summer!". Her friend stood in the hallway way with tears in her eyes and a crying baby in her arms. Liz stepped aside to let her in.
"I'm so sorry to barge in on you like this, but Dan and I just had a fight and Robin won't stop crying."
Liz hugged her. "Shh, it's okay."
She had known Summer for years, she had been with her when she met her boyfriend Dan. They made a good couple but argued a lot. Liz knew they loved each other but there was something separating them. It had been going on for months and she had no idea what it was.
****
Maria stopped midway through her words when she saw the tearstained girl and crying baby by Liz's side.
It was like a kick in the stomach.
Can I not get a break?
Max who felt her tense gave her a comforting hug. "You okay?".
She nodded.
Their exchange did not go unnoticed by Liz. There was obviously something about the situation that unsettled Maria. Max had always been there for her, flew to Roswell or wherever to meet her, he sometimes went for weeks on end. He never gave any of them full details as to why. What they shared ran deep.
"Guys you know Summer," she introduced her. "Summer that's Maria, Max's friend."
After the introductions, Liz and Summer disappeared into Max's room leaving Robin with Ava.
****
"She doesn't need changing, she just cranky,"Ava explained.
Robin had been crying non-stop. They had all attempted to make her stop crying but had failed.
"She's been crying for a long time, someone please," begged Isabel.
"We've all tried – she just wants to cry," said Alex.
"Maria hasn't" supplied Rath.
Maria froze at his statement.
After her nightmare? she wasn't ready.
"I'm not- won't Summer mind?" she asked lamely.
"If you can get her to shut up, she'll thank you," replied Isabel.
Maria glanced wearily at the crying, fidgeting Robin currently in Max's arms. She wasn't going to let her past control her future to this extent.
"Um okay." Tentatively, she took Robin in her arms. She was so tiny, loud, but sweet. "Sssh," she whispered rocking her slowly as she walked around the room. Within a few minutes, to everyone's relief, the cries died down.
Robin yawned. "She's so cute," observed Maria.
Max came up beside her. "Yes she is."
"She's probably tired from all that crying, aren't you?" she asked playfully touching her nose.
Robin yawned in reply.
"It's still the same old story, the quest for love and glory, the chance of do or die," she began singing the Frank Sinatra song from her favourite move, Casablanca.
"A kiss is just a kiss..." joined Max.
By the second verse, everyone was singing, by the end of the song, Robin was asleep.
Maria lay her down on the couch and sat down on the carpet next to her.
"I didn't think I'd be doing this tonight," she said.
"Which bit, breaking into song?" asked Rath.
She nodded, "amongst other things."
"Welcome to our world," muttered Zan with a half smile.
Talk went on in low voices, if needed, conversation moved into the kitchen but there was always someone to look after Robin.
****
When Liz finally came out, it was to find Maria, Max, Isabel, Alex and Zan framed like a family all sat on the carpet next to the couch where Robin lay.
"She asleep?" asked a Summer.
"Yeah," whispered Maria.
"I'll drive you home," Liz offered. After finally calming her down, she had managed to get Summer to go back to Dan. In every fight, she always threatened to take away Robin from him, which wasn't the best way to maintain a good relationship with your boyfriend.
When Summer picked up Robin, she stirred and cried.
"You have got to be kidding me," she muttered. "Be quiet for mummy," she told her baby girl.
Liz watched curious as Maria sighed, got up and touched the tip of Robin's nose. "Be a good girl".
Robin quietened down immediately.
"How did you do that?" asked Summer in awe.
Robin was a crier, she always cried even when nothing was wrong. Max's friend had managed to do what no nanny she had employed so far had managed to do. Silence Robin with a few words.
"I'm a new face," she shrugged non-chalantly.
"Can you baby-sit?" asked Summer.
"Uh- I" stammered Maria. She had just met the girl and she was asking her to baby-sit?!
"You don't even know me," she finally managed.
"You're living with Max. That's an excellent character reference. Please? I'll pay you and everything" begged Summer.
Maria looked to Max for advice and he shrugged hiding back a smile at her discomfort.
She did need a job and of course money. And Robin did seem to respond to her and maybe while she was at it, she could help out Summer and her boyfriend. The prospect of putting her newly acquired skills to practice brought a smile to her face.
"Um, sure," she agreed.
****
"That went well" commented Maria. The others had left, Rath had gone to bed which left her, Max,and Zan sprawled on the living-room sofas.
"It did," agreed Max.
A yawn reminded her of the beauty of sleep. "I'm gonna hit bed," she said getting up. "Night, guys."
"Night," they chorused.
Max waited until she was in her room before asking. "So?".
"So what?" asked Zan innocently. He was rewarded with a pointed glare from his brother.
"What do you think?" asked Max.
"Like what I think matters", he replied. Max had ignored everything he had lectured him about concerning his growing relationship with Maria over the years. Of course now finally meeting her, he could safely say he had been wrong, but he wanted to make Max squirm a little.
"Zan."
"She's a'ight," he feigned a begrudged acceptance.
"She's more than that."
Don't I know it, it agreed wholeheartedly.
She possessed an innocence and a life shaped by experience all at once. Her smile, laughter and energy was contagious but as he had watched her throughout the evening especially through her interaction with Robin, Zan had noticed that behind her eyes lay a haunted past that he only caught glimpses of. A past that Max had full access to.
Maria was definitely more the "a'ight", she made him want to let his guard down immediately and tell her everything about himself. He had never met anyone like that before.
Too bad Max had met her first.
****